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Group Claims Brooklyn Bridge Views Obstructed By Too Tall Condo Complex

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An unusual demand has been lodged by some residents of Brooklyn.

They claim a building going up near the Brooklyn Bridge is too tall and they want the top floors removed, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported Thursday.

Stroll the Brooklyn Heights promenade and you'll notice the new Pierhouse condo complex that partly obscures the view of the bridge.

"The Brooklyn Bridge is the most beautiful and iconic structure," said Steven Guterman of the group "Save the View Now."

Guterman said the bridge view was supposed to be protected -- not obstructed -- under the deal to build the Pierhouse.

His group claims developer Toll Brothers built three stories higher than agreed to. At least 3,000 people have signed a petition asking the city to force Toll Brothers to restore the view.

"Chop off whatever is needed from the building to get the views as was clearly articulated in the final environmental impact statement," Guterman said.

All the approvals for the project were done under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but it doesn't look like Mayor Bill de Blasio has much sympathy for the idea of lopping off the top of the Pierhouse, Aiello reported.

A promotional video shows the completed complex nestled behind the highly praised Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is maintained using money from the developer instead of tax dollars.

The mayor's pick for park president said the Pierhouse is just 3 feet higher than originally planned due to changes forced by Hurricane Sandy, and no more obstructive than a warehouse torn down on the site.

"There's no bait and switch. The building that is under construction now is exactly the building that was approved," said Regina Myer of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation. "This was all according to the plan for this beautiful park."

But opponents have won an important ally as the Brooklyn Heights Association is putting its weight behind this fight over height, Aiello reported.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said his office is meeting with concerned groups and reviewing the issue.

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