(11/09/06) WILLIAMSBURG - When New York City rezoning allowed for additional residential housing in Williamsburg, community groups say they never imagined overexpansion would destroy the character of their neighborhood.

Longtime residents claim a building boom of luxury apartments is ruining the area. Community activists say apartments ranging in value from $500,000 to more than $1 million invite outsiders in, while forcing the neighborhood people to go elsewhere. Activists also say city government failed to deliver on a promised $2 million for community groups to combat negative effects of rezoning when the change occurred a few years ago.

The Department of Buildings did not return repeated attempts for comment.