Hasidic voters in Orange County approved a controversial land expansion plan in a special election held Monday evening.
Voters in Monroe said yes to the 164-acre land deal that would change their addresses to the ultra-Orthodox Village of Kiryas Joel.
The turf war isn't over though.
Critics say expansion plans in the rapidly growing community will overdevelop the rural area and destroy their way of life. Supporters say the annexation will help keep their tight-knit families together within village boundaries by providing more housing.
The vote was supposed to be the final step in the annexation, but a Supreme Court lawsuit has plans on hold. The lawsuit was filed by Orange County as well as multiple towns and villages.
A Supreme Court decision on the annexation is expected to take months. With appeals, it could all take years.