It is a familiar story:
In this case, it involves Coney Island. Parts of it were rezoned several years ago to allow dense, tall residential buildings. However, most residents were not upset because they were either not aware of the implications, or could not imagine that the buildings would actually be built.
Now that the economics make sense, the buildings are coming and residents think they should be able to stop them:
http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/01/22/coney_island_residents_vehemently_oppose_40story_tower.phpAnd, over the next few years, they realize that this is not how development or democracy happens.
Comments
...they were disliked by the "natives" as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIMBY