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Community Corner

Westchester Legislators Express Opposition to LG Electronics' Building on Top of Palisades

The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) approved a resolution last night expressing opposition to LG Electronics’ plan to build a 143-foot tall office building on top of the cliffs of the Palisades along the Hudson River, two to three times higher than the tree line. The vote came during the regular BOL meeting. 

Two weeks ago, the resolution received its first approval in the BOL Environment & Energy Committee, which is chaired by Legislator Catherine Parker (D-Rye). 

In the latest stage of a six-year building project on a 26-acre property in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, LG Electronics USA, Inc. received a variance to construct a new edifice that will be four times taller than the present 35-foot zoning height limit respected by other companies and developers in the area. 

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The new LG Electronics building would be situated about fifty yards from the Palisades Interstate Park and clearly visible to residents over in Westchester’s southern rivertowns. 

“The Palisades are among the most stunning and significant land forms in the United States, which residents and visitors to the Hudson Valley have long marveled at,” said Parker. “LG Electronics’ plan to despoil the Palisades, both a National Natural Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, cannot be condoned under any circumstances.” 

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The National Trust for Historic Preservation issued its 27th annual 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list this week, and the Palisades was included on it. 

Residents of Englewood Cliffs and several environmental and civic groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the zoning variance that permits the 143-foot tall edifice, and four former New Jersey governors have endorsed an alternative low-rise design for LG Electronics’ offices. 

Upon approval, the BOL resolution expressing opposition to building on top of the Palisades will be sent to LG Electronics USA Inc., the Planning Board of the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. 

“Looking across the Hudson River at the Palisades, as many of my constituents do every day, reminds us that we live in a very special place,” said Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). “The idea of sullying the landscape and viewshed by placing a tall building on top of this treasured natural landmark makes no sense, and it will serve as a bad precedent.” 

A number of advocates united against the LG Electronics building on the Palisades voiced their thanks for the BOL vote. 

“On behalf of its thousands of members in the metropolitan area, the NY-NJ Trail Conference applauds Westchester County for adding its voice to the overwhelming consensus in the region and nation that LG should preserve, not destroy, the grandeur of the Palisades,” said Charlotte Fahn, resident of Hastings-on-Hudson and board member of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. 

“New Jersey Conservation Foundation commends the Westchester County Legislature for taking a stand on protecting the Palisades,” said Michele Byers, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation. “For over a century New Jersey and New York residents have worked together to protect an American National Treasure for the benefit of all.” 

“We applaud the Westchester County Board of Legislators for joining federal agencies, officials from New York and New Jersey, and dozens of environmental and public interest organizations in recognizing the importance of preserving the majestic Hudson River Palisades,” said Hayley Carlock, Environmental Advocacy Attorney, Scenic Hudson.

Legislator Peter Harckham (D-North Salem) said: “I’d like to thank Chairwoman Parker for her prompt and deft handling of this important resolution. We have a moral responsibility to the generations that follows us to preserve our natural landmarks the best we can.”

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