Rockaway rezone set for city OK

The first comprehensive rezoning of much of the Rockaway peninsula is set to be approved by the City Council in the next two days, officials said Tuesday.

The rezoning affects a 6-mile stretch of the peninsula, from Beach 129th St. to the border of Nassau County. It covers 280 blocks and 6,000 property lots.

The plan devised by Mayor Bloomberg’s administration and the City Planning Department is primarily designed to preserve the one- and two-family detached homes that are a prized Rockaway feature.

Council approval is the final hurdle the plan faces under the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, or ULURP.

A scheduled vote Tuesday by the zoning and franchises subcommittee was postponed because not enough of its 10 members showed up. But officials said the rezoning is set to be approved today by both the subcommittee and its parent Land Use Committee. And the full Council is expected to approve the rezoning Thursday.

Two dozen residents turned up at the hearing chaired by City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) to oppose the inclusion of the Beach 116th St. commercial strip in the rezoning plan. They fear the rezoning will permit development of larger residential buildings along 116th St., with retail stores on the ground level.

Opponents contend the rezoning will add to traffic congestion in one of the narrowest parts of the peninsula. They urged carving out a separate zoning plan for that area.

Citing the possibility of emergency evacuations, Paul King, a business owner on 116th St., said of the rezoning, “It will literally put people’s lives in danger.”

But passage of the plan was virtually assured because the two Council members who represent the area support it.

“This plan is a great move towards the new Rockaways,” said Councilman James Sanders (D-Far Rockaway).

Though unable to attend, Councilman Joseph Addabbo, whose district includes Rockaway Beach and western portions of the peninsula, submitted his approval in a letter.

“I believe that one classification of zoning would positively promote the desired commercial and residential development that the majority of the entire Rockaway peninsula is seeking,” Addabbo said.

BY FRANK LOMBARDI
Daily News