Merlin’s Phil Royle:
“We’re absolutely thrilled …”
GOSHEN – The Legoland Goshen project passed yet another major hurdle, Thursday evening, following a public hearing with the Goshen Town Board.
The board voted 4-1 in favor of local laws 5-2016 and 6-2016, amending Goshen’s Comprehensive Plan to allow for commercial entertainment and allowing for the zoning of such projects, essentially solidifying the Legoland project via resolution.
A developer’s agreement and sale of specific town properties to Merlin Entertainments, the Legoland developers, were voted on as well as stipulation from the town, with the same voting result.
There was a fair amount of opposition from citizens at the two-hour session. The board determined it represented the minority view of the town’s residents.
Town Board Member Kenneth Newbold, the only “no” vote from the board, said his decision was based on a quality of life issue, one he believes was meant to be preserved and the Legoland project will be a detriment to.
“It firmly says it in the law, we have to continue to pursue Goshen as a nice, rural community,” said Newbold. “It says it in the law; but, this doesn’t do it for me. So, that’s my take on it. The vision is not part of my job and I won’t accept it. You come in and divide my community, I’m going to support you.”
The town board vote: 4-1
Town Supervisor Douglas Bloomfield said he believes the majority of the constituency was in favor of having the project move forward and after a long process, he is glad the voting turnout was as it occurred.
“I’m very proud of the Planning Board,” Bloomfield said. “I’m very proud of the Town Board. I’m really proud of the people who were against it who made it a better product, a better project. I’m relieved that it’s finished and I can get back to other things. This is going to be, I think, a good thing for the community of Goshen.”
Legoland’s head of community and project relations, Phil Royle said although they still have steps to finish before getting a final go-ahead for the project, he was excited for the decision and is looking forward to integrating into the community in a positive way.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be moving forward tonight with a fantastic voting from the Town Board,” said Royle. “There are still a few more processes to complete, as we move along, but this is a highly significant move for us, and if we are successful in the rest of the things that we’re going to be doing, we hope that Legoland New York will become a valued and trusted neighbor to people who live and work here, and own a business here, in the future.”
Royle did not specify as to the exact processes that still need to be completed, but if all goes smoothly, Legoland New York could open by late summer of 2019.
