Rezoning roils Rockaways

Much of the plan to rezone of 280 blocks in the Rockaways, largely an effort to preserve the peninsula’s low-rise character, has been welcomed by residents. But portions of Beach 116th Street could see a doubling of their maximum building heights, which has drawn the wrath of locals. City planners say that it simply extends the zoning of the boardwalk and notes that the nearby A train justifies the increased density.