Sussman: “… inconsistent…”
GOSHEN – The Goshen Town Board voted in July to accept the final
environmental impact statement for the proposed Legoland theme park, just
off Route 17. That has not stopped the vigorous opposition.
Attorney Michael Sussman, representing Concerned Citizens of the Hudson
Valley, spent over a half-hour Wednesday in his crowded Village of Goshen
office, summarizing a more than 100-page report prepared by certified
planner J. Theodore Fink, of Rhinebeck-based Greenplan Inc. Fink is also
an adjunct instructor on environmental issues at Marist College.
Sussman quoted from Fink’s report as it referenced the Town of Goshen’s
Comprehensive Plan:
“A themed amusement park seems to be the very kind of project
that the comprehensive plan was designed to avoid”
Sussman argues the proposal clearly goes against the long-established
nature of not just the surrounding area but the Town of Goshen itself.
“Indeed, the themed amusement park as proposed is inconsistent with
the town’s three overlay districts created to protect rural, environmental
and agricultural in the area’s map.”
The attorney further noted that the plan seems to encourage “small-scale
neighborhood commercial use.”
Sussman accused the FEIS of “cherry-picking” around the stipulations.
“In other words, you can’t study a project and act like the
project is a self-contained entity and not study the impact, potential
impact, significant potential impact of the project.”
Sussman also contends this all goes against Orange County’s Comprehensive
Plan.
“Map five in the county’s farmland plan clearly identifies
the Legoland parcel proposed for rezoning in this way, quote: ‘as
farmland; priority, for preservation’.”
Sussman concluded by saying what Orange County needs is “smart growth”
that provides for economic opportunity and addresses critical housing
needs without changing the unique character of the county.
Meanwhile, Phil Royle, the local Legoland official, said parent company
Merlin Entertainment has “been fully responsive to questions and
comments submitted to us by members of the community, and have accommodated
concerns by incorporating additional mitigation measures throughout the
course of this review.” He said the company is “confident
in the thoroughness of the FEIS, which the Goshen Planning Board deemed
complete and is based on substantiated facts and extensive research.”
