Judge Sides with LG on 8-Story Office Tower High Above Palisades

A state superior judge on Friday ruled that the Englewood Cliffs zoning board followed proper procedure when it approved an eight-story office tower overlooking the Palisades, paving the way for LG Electronics to begin construction.

State Superior Judge Alexander H. Carver III in a lengthy decision concluded that the Englewood Cliffs Zoning Board of Adjustment was fully within its legal authority in approving the controversial project in 2012.

Two residents of the borough filed an appeal claiming LG did not provide proper legal notice and charged that the board violated zoning code in allowing the project to exceed the height limitation of 35 feet. 

Mediation between LG and the opponents broke off in June though the public relations battle has remained at a fever pitch throughout.

LG, in a statement, called the ruling “great news for the company and its employees, and especially for the local community because of the enormous economic benefits that this world-class green building will bring to Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County and the State of New Jersey.”

Plans are already in motion to demolish structures at 111 Sylvan Avenue, LG said in a press statement.

Opponents of the project – which includes environmental groups, cultural institutions and politicians from both sides of the Hudson – have not yet decided if they will file another appeal but have vowed to continue fighting, according to a northjersey.com report.

“We’re not going to let LG destroy the integrity of the Palisades,” an attorney for Scenic Hudson told northjersey.com. “This is just one step in the fight.”

Detractors claim the eight-story building will forever spoil the view of the Palisades, preserved a century ago by the Rockefeller family, and have further requested that LG incorporate a more low-rise design to its consolidated headquarters.

LG says the $300 million project will bring thousands of jobs and economic vitality to the area. It's won support from the county freeholders and County Executive Kathleen Donovan, but has also received tongue-lashings from four ex-New Jersey governors.

Construction is expected to take around two years.