Lawyer: Seizing beach by Christie brother's home cuts access

The governor's brother, who lives in Morris County but owns a summer home at the shore, says he supports the plan, but is only one member of a larger homeowner's association that has thus far refused to grant permission for the work to begin.

Attorney Anthony DellaPelle said Thursday that the dunes could cut off access to the beach for oceanfront homeowners, forcing them to walk or even drive down the street and around the corner to access the shoreline instead of simply walking out the back door onto the beach, as they do now.

A spokesman for the state Attorney General's office declined comment Thursday.

Since shortly after Superstorm Sandy devastated the coast in October 2012 — including destroying some homes on Todd Christie's street — Chris Christie has been pushing to build dunes along the state's entire coast.