Magic Forest site sketch plan: 374 dwellings on the table

On Aug 11, 2026, the Town of Lake George Planning Board heard Sketch Plan #2-2026 for the former Magic Forest / Expedition Park property. The applicant named on the agenda is Magic Forest Properties, LLC, with Environmental Design Partnership as agent. The board took a first look at a conceptual plan. Official minutes show no formal approval motion that night.

What the agenda lists

Town documents place the site in TC-A and RH zoning (Tourist Commercial A and Residential High Density), with an Adirondack Park Agency land classification of Hamlet. Tax maps cited on the agenda include 277.02-1-25, 277.02-1-26, 264.04-1-36, and 277.02-1-27.

The proposal described on the agenda converts amusement-park land into a Planned Unit Development on about 45.6 acres of TC-A plus residential development on about 15.9 acres of RH. The agenda PUD program includes self-storage; 180 apartments in two 3-story buildings; 40 multifamily quadplex units; 100 senior dwelling units in one 3-story building; and a mixed-use building with about 10,000 sq ft first-floor commercial plus 20 residential units. The RH portion lists 34 two-family dwellings. Those agenda figures add to 374 dwellings (180+40+100+20+34).

Process, not a green light

Minutes identify attendees including counsel John Lapper, Esq., Joe Dannible (Environmental Design Partnership), and owners Danna and Reuben Ellsworth. Chair Fred Pape stated the session was not a public hearing and that public comments would wait for a full application.

Applicants described two tracks: a PUD path in TC-A (APA / Town / municipal sewer) and owner-occupied duplexes or townhomes in RH intended to move sooner with on-site septic. Minutes note the PUD is framed as a Class A APA project (agenda SEQRA line: N/A — Class A APA Project), while duplexes would require SEQR, with counsel caution about segmentation if applications are split. Expected follow-on work called out in minutes includes SWPPP, SHPO, and likely Phase 1B archaeology tied to Old Military Road.

Minutes also record that the amusement park was expected to remain open the following summer, with park remnants removed when construction begins.

What happened next (as of our check)

Local coverage after the meeting described a long review path. The Town Planning Board agenda for Sep 8, 2026 did not carry a Magic Forest / Sketch Plan #2-2026 item. As of 2026-09-22 we did not find a matching DEC ENB notice for this project, and we did not independently confirm an APA filing receipt.

Related: What counts as Lake George waterfront? · For sale

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