Judge Alexander H. Carver III, a New Jersey judge, has ordered mediation for electronics giant LG and parties who are disputing LGs goal of expansion with a 143-foot tall building along the Palisades.  Among the parties disputing the building are Scenic Hudson, an environmental organization; the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs; Margo Moss and Jacob Franke, local residents; and Marcia Davis and Carol Jacoby, also local residents. 

The Englewood Cliffs Board of Adjustment will also be part of the mediation process, as residents Marcia Davis and Carol Jacoby are claiming that the Board acted improperly in approving the build in February 2012.  According to the complaint, the area has a maximum building height requirement of 35 feet.  LG’s proposed 143-foot building would far exceed the height requirement, thus prompting the challenge coming from residents and local environmentalist groups.   LG, on the other hand, claims that the expansion is necessary to house the 400 employees that are at its Englewood Cliffs campus, since this number represents half of its workforce in the tri-state region.    

According to the claims of the groups disputing LG’s expansion, allowing the building project to continue could make room for additional high-rise development along Palisades Interstate Park, and area that is considered a National Historic Landmark.  The groups entering mediation with LG are not the only opposition the company has been receiving regarding its proposed building project.  According to the New York Times, Larry Rockefeller, whose grandfather, John, donated approximately 700 acres to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, is also intent on preserving the view from his home just across the Hudson. 

According to sources, the mediation process will begin on May 1.  A spokesperson for LG Electronics issued this statement regarding mediation:  "It is inappropriate to speculate about possible outcomes, but at least as far as LG Electronics is concerned, we are entering the mediation with a good faith effort to get the pending matters resolved so we can commence construction in 2013."