Chairman Lee Burgess, right, and the rest of the Planning Board will have
several hours of input to review
GOSHEN – A second night of public comment on the proposed Legoland theme park in the Town of Goshen brought out over 60 speakers before the planning board. Last night’s session, at Burke High School, was a continuation of the hearing that drew almost 1,000 people last week.
The public is still clearly divided on the issue. From the business community, labor unions and other residential proponents praising the project’s potential for jobs, ratable property and multiplier effect within the local economy, to the opposing concerns of traffic issues, visual pollution, water availability and inconsistency with the town’s master plan, there is still about an equal presence for support on either side of the issue.
Opponents to the project claim the idea of changing a law to accommodate a business is unethical and will undermine public confidence in their government.
President of Concerned Citizens of the Hudson Valley, Brad Barnhorst, made his case against an action he believes is wrong.
“This project currently stands in diametric opposition to what currently is codified in town laws,” Barnhorst charged. The proposed change “would betray the public trust,” he said.
The public may still submit written concerns until January 10.
Both the town board and planning board will begin evaluating all of the public comments once the written submission date has passed. At that time, Merlin consultants will also be responsible for reviewing those comments, and if officials rule in favor of adopting amendments to the local laws needed for approval of the project, Merlin will then be responsible for submitting Final Environmental Impact Statement.
