PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – A well-known real estate appraisal firm and a nonprofit group have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a City Council-approved zoning change on the former I-195 land that would allow a New York developer to build the state’s tallest skyscraper.

The widely-anticipated lawsuit challenging the council’s controversial decision to raise the maximum building height on Parcel 42 of the former highway land from 130 feet to 600 feet was filed in Rhode Island Superior Court Friday by Peter M. Scotti & Associates, Inc. and Building Bridges Providence through their attorney, Armando Batastini.

The suit names as defendants all 15 members of the council, as well as the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission and Jason Fane, the developer seeking to build the 46-story Hope Point Tower on Parcel 42 of the former highway land. (Fane’s company is named in the suit.)

The suit claims the zoning change does not conform with Providence’s Comprehensive Plan, a state-mandated guide designed to inform “development decisions and to establish the basis for zoning ordinances and other land use regulation tools,” according to the city.

The plaintiffs are asking a judge to issue a declaratory judgement invalidating the zoning change.

The zoning change was pushed through by the City Council over the objection of Mayor Jorge Elorza and the City Plan Commission, which recommended the council deny the request. Elorza vetoed the change, but the council voted to override the veto in December.

The I-195 Redevelopment District Commission also voted last month to enter into a deal to sell the land to New York developer Jason Fane for $3.1 million, but the deal is contingent on the courts not blocking the zoning change.

Peter M. Scotti & Associates is one of the region’s best-known real estate appraisers. Records show the firm has been paid more than $100,000 by the city or the Providence Redevelopment Agency since the 2013 fiscal year. Building Bridges Providence is led by Sharon Steele, a Jewelry District activist who has been a vocal critic of the Hope Point Tower proposal.

Steele sought to raise at least $50,000 to pay for the legal fees associated with challenging the zoning change.

Steele said Tuesday she plans to comment after she talked to her attorney.

Dante Bellini, a spokesperson for Fane, said the organization is not going to comment on pending litigation, “except to say that we are confident in the wisdom of the court and that the ordinance is consistent with the comprehensive plan.”

It’s unclear if the City Council will hire outside legal counsel or use the city solictor’s office to defend the zoning change. Billy Kepner, a spokesperson the council, said Tuesday the city’s legislative body “is currently exploring all of its options, and hope to have a clearer picture of next steps in the coming days.”

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Dan McGowan ( dmcgowan@wpri.com ) covers politics, education and the city of Providence for WPRI.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @danmcgowan