A decision on a petition to annex land adjacent to a the Chasidic Jewish village in the Hudson Valley is a step closer.

Officials from Kiryas Joel in Orange County are overseeing an environmental review of a request to annex up to 507 acres adjacent to the village in the town of Monroe, about 50 miles north of New York City.

The village said Monday it has approved the issuance of a final generic environmental impact statement, a necessary step under the review.

The boards of Monroe and Kiryas Joel are expected to vote on annexation by Sept. 8.

Leaders of the Kiryas Joel say the village needs the additional land. Some opponents in the surrounding suburbs fear more congestion.

(AP)