Residents have started a petition to annex the land Kiryas Joel wants into Blooming Grove instead.

That proposal comes on the heels of two others that would give the Hasidic Village of Kiryas Joel hundreds of acres.

For the past year, critics have argued that if the annexation were to happen, high-density housing would replace what is now rural landscape. Kiryas Joel villagers argue that more housing is desperately needed in their growing community.

Monroe Supervisor Harley Doles was not available to speak with News 12 on Tuesday. He did, however, congratulate United Monroe in an email and said the petition is a "positive step."

Representatives for Kiryas Joel said Tuesday by phone that the newest application cannot legally be considered until the first annexation request is reviewed by the town.