The fight over the Kiryas Joel-Monroe land deal is headed to New York Supreme Court.

The 34-page lawsuit claims the Department of Environmental Conservation turned a blind eye to information showing why Kiryas Joel should not control a plan that would double the Hasidic village in size.

"They've been a serial environmental violator, and they have a vested interest," says John Allegro, one of the petitioners behind the suit filed against Kiryas Joel, the DEC and others.

It claims that Kiryas Joel will financially benefit from the plan, and that the village is not capable of conducting an impartial environmental review.

The village disagrees. Last week, it held the first of several public input meetings. On Wednesday, a representative for the community issued a statement about the lawsuit, saying they were "saddened by the waste of time and taxpayer dollars, and are confident that the frivolous claim will be rejected."

Kiryas Joel leaders have promised the proposal will be fairly handled, but the lawsuit's petitioners say their word isn't enough.