A Hudson Valley county plans to sue over plans to allow the fast-growing Village of Kiryas Joel to annex 164 acres of adjacent land.

Orange County lawmakers on Thursday authorized spending up to $200,000 as they seek to join local municipalities in a lawsuit over the planned expansion of the village of Kiryas Joel.

The village and the adjacent town of Monroe recently approved the expansion request, which still must be considered by voters in the area that would be annexed.

Leaders of the densely settled enclave of Satmar Hasidic Jews have said Kiryas Joel needs more land to accommodate its fast-growing population. Opponents of the annexation request, which was made by out-of-village Satmar, say they fear increased congestion from more apartment buildings in the suburban area.

(AP)