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High Court Ruling Coming On Fight Over Dune On Jersey Shore

HARVEY CEDARS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The Supreme Court of New Jersey was set to make a decision early next week that could greatly impact homeowners along the shore.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, Jonathan Oldham, mayor of the borough of Harvey Cedars, said the ruling will have a broad reach.

"Future punishment in the state of New Jersey hinges on this case," he said.

High Court Ruling Coming On Fight Over Dune On Jersey Shore

The court will issue an opinion Monday on whether Harvey and Phyllis Karan of Harvey Cedars are entitled to $375,000 awarded to them in lower courts.

The couple sued the borough when it used eminent domain on their property to build a dune years before Superstorm Sandy, claiming their ocean view was ruined.

But the mayor said the dune saved the borough.

"That was the right thing to do to protect our town," he said. "For us, it was not a matter of 'if' one of these storms was going to come, it was a matter of when."

Oldham said if the award stands, it could skyrocket the cost of building dunes up and down the shore, with other homeowners holding out for similar payouts.

Calls to the Karans' attorney were not returned.

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