Dear Editor:
We would like to correct our recent comments related to the three (3) Palisades Cliffs developments in North Bergen in response to your story covering the “Save the Hudson River Palisades Act” introduced by Senator Stack on May 30, 2012 in the NJ Senate. There are actually four (4) developments.
The Church Hill Estates and AVAK developments are the poster child for destruction of the Palisades Cliffs. Unless there are changes to the scope of these two town approved developments, they are beyond salvation from any legislation currently being considered in Trenton. The damage is done, but we failed to mention another development on Church Hill Road that is currently in front of the Board of Adjustment. The developer’s plans show demolition of the base of the Palisades Cliffs and if built, will also conceal a views of the cliffs. No surprise but this developer is the developer of the controversial Appleview development.
The Appleview development is proposed to excavate sections of the Palisade cliffs, which could destabilize the slopes that support a major Transco Gas Pipeline. Upon the Galaxy Association’s appeal, the application was remanded back to the NB Planning Board for additional hearings on safety issues. So there is in fact a possibility that the “Save the Hudson River Palisades Act” could apply to at least these two last developments of the four described.
Preserving a 200 million year old, natural resource that is a world renown landmark is always a challenge, but when man decides to destroy it for profit, it is time for the public to say stop!
Peggy Wong, President
Coalition to Preserve the Palisades Cliffs