As Bauhouse Group approaches its court-ordered auction for the 950-foot 3 Sutton Place, community groups and elected officials are seeking to implement a zoning plan limiting building height to 260 feet, which could discourage auction bidders.

East River 50s Alliance president Alan Kersch, who represents the groups pushing for change, found the idea bizarre, as it would require hefty application and consultant fees, the Wall Street Journal reports.

To add insult to injury, the Department of Buildings denied Bauhouse the permit needed to complete demolition on the site and enhance its value.

Bauhouse sought to stabilize 426 East 58th St, but an audit submitted by councilman Ben Kallos found that the building’s residents wouldn’t be properly protected.

For example, one resident claimed construction workers wanted to cut holes in his ceiling to brace the building's joists, which would be quite inconvenient in the cold winter months. [WSJ]