Goshen to get Legoland referendum, but it won't stop project

GOSHEN — Some good news, some bad, on Legoland New York this week, depending on your perspective.
The latest news is good news for Legoland opponents, who will get the referendum they've been seeking — even though it will not ultimately stop the theme park now under construction in the Town of Goshen.
The appellate court on Wednesday ordered the town to hold a referendum to determine whether it can sell eight parcels of town-owned property to Merlin Industries. The court overturned a lower court decision that said the petitions demanding the referendum were inadequate.
"The Appeals Court found the petitions entirely adequate, and the Town of Goshen now must organize and hold a referendum, which will finally put before the people whether this project should go forward," said Michael Sussman, the attorney representing Concerned Citizens for the Hudson Valley in suing for the referendum.
Phil Royle, Director of Development for Legoland New York, referred questions about the referendum to the town, but said construction will continue.
"We are moving ahead as we continue to build Legoland New York," Royle said in a emailed statement. "The town’s New York State Environmental Qualty Review included an alternative for the construction of the park without the purchase of town-owned lots. The changes are not substantial, and would not delay Legoland New York from opening in 2020. We would like to reiterate that the sale of the town-owned lots will provide income and additional water resources to the Town of Goshen, addressing long-term water shortage concerns in the Arcadia Hills community."
Last November, Goshen voters had a chance to vote out the Goshen supervisor, Doug Bloomfield, who many Legoland opponents blame for pushing the project through without a proper review. But the incumbents stayed. Bloomfield ran against the first challenger he's had in ten years and won. Two other incumbents also won against challengers.
The bad news for Legoland New York opponents came last Wednesday, when a state supreme court justice in Poughkeepsie dismissed local residents' challenge to approvals given by the Goshen town board and planning board to the Legoland project. Sussman said the Concerned Citizens plan to appeal.
Legoland has in the meantime been cutting trees at its approximately 500-acre site off Route 17. Only a portion of the site will be developed.
Related stories: "Legoland challenge is dismissed, appeal is planned": https://bit.ly/2K3mNav
"Appeals court grants Legoland opponents clear-cutting stay": https://bit.ly/2HAqztD
"Attorney: 'Beginning of the end of Legoland'": https://bit.ly/2vENEXp
"Lego opponents file lawsuit": https://bit.ly/2DDXETx