A development proposal that would alter the city's skyline was debated before the City Council Monday.

The Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee held a hearing on the Vornado Realty Trust's proposal to build 15 Penn Plaza.

The building would stand two blocks west of the Empire State Building on the site of the current Hotel Pennsylvania on Seventh Avenue.

Malkin Holdings, the owners of the Empire State Building, say the 1,200-foot tower would obstruct views of the symbolic building, and have released a rendering, pictured above, to back up their case.

"The Empire State Building is the iconic and defining feature of the skyline,” said Anthony Malkin of Malkin Holdings. “To virtually everyone, the Empire State Building defines New York, and by a better than two-to-one margin, 63 percent to 28 percent, New Yorkers want the New York City Council to reject or to amend the current design for 15 Penn Plaza."

Malkin also says, in principle, he doesn't have a problem with the new tower, but believes it should be shorter.

"We are aware that there will be taller buildings in New York. Taller than the Empire State Building. We recognize that, we support that. That is good and that is healthy," Malkin said.

However, Vornado Realty Trust says its proposed 67-story tower will be a respectful addition to the constantly-evolving urban landscape. Pictured left is its image of the skyscraper.

"The fact is New York City's skyline has never stopped changing and I certainly hope it never will," said David Greenbaum of Vornado Realty.

Earlier in the day, the local Community Board voted down the project 36-to-1.

Representatives from the National Trust for Historic Preservation also came out against the proposal.

"I think a very large tower that mars that view is something in the long run that we might all regret," said Lisa Ackerman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Developers countered the preservation's stance saying they have been hard at work on the project for years and don't get why there is so much fuss now.

"The notion that is now being raised after it was fully considered and vetted by the planning commission as well as in conjunction with the landmarks commission, we don't understand the argument," Greenbaum said.

Members of the Council subcommittee did not make any decisions during the hearing, instead deciding to wait until Tuesday.

If they approve the project, the full City Council could vote on it as early as Wednesday.