LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION in support of the Palisades Interstate Park
Commission's opposition to LG Electronics Corporation's plans for the
construction of its new headquarters which pose a new threat and prece-
dent to the scenic beauty of the Palisades

WHEREAS, The Palisades Interstate Park Commission was created to main-
tain and operate park land "for the use of the public and for the
purpose of preserving the scenic beauty of the Palisades and other lands
therein", and is comprised of five representatives from New York and
five representatives from New Jersey, each appointed by their respective
Governor; and
WHEREAS, On February 25, 2014, the Palisades Interstate Park Commis-
sion unanimously passed a resolution formally opposing LG Electronics'
new headquarters as it is currently planned; and
WHEREAS, The Commission found LG Electronics' planned 143-foot build-
ing poses a new threat and precedent to the scenic beauty of the Pali-
sades north of the George Washington Bridge which would spoil the Inter-
state Park and the sweeping vistas which have been protected by more
than a century of conservation; and
WHEREAS, The Palisades, a National Natural and Historic landmark
formed of igneous (volcanic) rock 200 million years ago in the late
Triassic period, and shaped during the last Ice Age 15,000 years ago,
provide one of the last untouched natural vistas in the New York metro-
politan region; and
WHEREAS, A late-19th Century threat to the Palisades from the ravages
of industrial quarrying spawned a conservation effort by then-New York
Governor Theodore Roosevelt and New Jersey Governor Foster McGowan
Voorhees which began with the formation of the Palisades Interstate
Parks Commission in 1900, and culminated with the dedication in 1909 of
the Palisades Interstate Park to mark the 300th Anniversary of Henry
Hudson's famous trip up the River that now bears his name; and
WHEREAS, The proposed LG headquarters, if built as designed, would
rise well above the treeline and is a fourfold increase upon existing
zoning, even though LG's 27-acre site can easily accommodate a lower
building which would bring in as many jobs and as much tax revenue; and
WHEREAS, The proposed LG tower would also open the door to more devel-
opment, ruining a several thousand-year-old vista seen by the original
Native American settlers, European explorer Henry Hudson and enjoyed by
millions on both sides of the River to this day; and
WHEREAS, A wide coalition of citizens from New York and beyond have
appealed to LG to be a good neighbor and build its new headquarters so
that it does not exceed the tree line; and
WHEREAS, Recent letters from the National Park Service's National
Historic Landmark Manager and NE Region Natural Resources Chief detail
the significance of the area and how the construction of the building as
currently proposed threatens the integrity of this nationally designated
area; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body joins the growing number of public
officials who have raised their voices in opposition to the LG Electron-
ics plan including Charles E. Schumer, US Senator; The Honorable Andrew
M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York; and Eric T. Schneiderman,
New York Attorney General; as well as numerous New York State Senators
and Assembly Members, New York City Council Members, Manhattan and Bronx
Community Board Members, and countless thousands of concerned individ-
uals, including four former New Jersey governors and six nearby New
Jersey mayors; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body finds the height of the proposed LG
Electronics Headquarters building above the tree line is not in the
public interest of New Yorkers and Americans who value our national
resources and historic landmarks; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations in
support of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission's opposition to LG
Electronics Corporation's plans for the construction of its new head-
quarters which pose a new threat and precedent to the scenic beauty of
the Palisades; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the LG Electronics Corporation, the Palisades Interstate Park
Commission, and Kathleen A. Donovan, Bergen County Executive.