ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS-LG Electronics says it will proceed full speed ahead with the controversial design for its new North American headquarters building atop the Palisades after a Friday court ruling.
In his decision on a suit brought by environmental and civic groups, Superior Court Judge Alexander H. Carver III said the Englewood Cliffs zoning board had the right to grant a height variance for the LG headquarters project at 111 Sylvan Ave. Opponents had argued in court that the zoning authorities exceeded their authority in allowing the 143-foot building that will take center stage on the pristine Palisades skyline.
LG said Friday it is already preparing for the demolition of the existing buildings at the site to prepare for the new construction.
Scenic Hudson, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs were all parties to the suit in Superior Court. Judge Carver had ordered the opposing sides to talk, but LG withdrew from discussions last June after four former New Jersey governors publicly opposed the “marring” of the Palisades view.
Democrats Brendan Byrne and Jim Florio and Republicans Christie Whitman and Thomas H. Kean Sr. wrote to LG's Seoul-based executive, Koo Bon-Joon, asking for a redesign of the building to take it below the tree line.
The governors appealed to the federal Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw its non-binding endorsement of the project, which the EPA then did. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (which has its Cloisters collection directly across the Hudson from the Palisades), and environmentalist Larry Rockerfeller joined the ranks of opponents as well.
LG president and CEO Wayne Park said Friday the company is gratified that it can now begin construction, and that it has proceeded according to hoyle throughout the process.
“As we have constantly reminded people over recent months, LG was transparent, accountable and consultative in the process to achieve all necessary approvals for this project,” Park said. “We listened carefully to the concerns of local residents and community groups, and we amended our plans to address those concerns. Judge Carver's judgment underscores the fact that Englewood Cliffs and LG Electronics followed the proper approval process for the project.”
Park also cited the “enormous economic benefits that this world-class green building will bring to Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County and the State of New Jersey.”
In his ruling, Carver said the zoning board had properly decided the project “promoted the general welfare by maintaining jobs, promoting green building design, providing adequate light, air and open space, providing energy efficiency, and utilizing renewable energy sources.”
After the EPA withdrew its endorsement, Englewood's mayor, Joseph Parisi Jr. had referred to critics of the project as “outsiders.”
“A majority of people in this region still want this project because they know how good it will be economically and for the environment,” Parisi said. “Despite what the outsiders say, it will be good for the entire region, including all those who oppose it.”
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