A controversial measure allowing for the height limit of a second resort-condominium tower on Kuhio Avenue to increase to 350 feet was approved by the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday.

Although Resolution 14-38 involves a height variance allowing the building height to increase by 50 feet from the 300-foot limit placed on other Waikiki Special District buildings, Council members squeezed in language addressing other issues.

For instance, PACREP2 LLC is agreeing to build the tower no closer than 75 feet from a first tower that received a similar height variance last year.

Opponents of the project and the height variance said  developers misled the public and the city, and that they had planned two towers all along. Developers denied both charges.

The project at 2139 Kuhio must still obtain a Waikiki Special District use permit from the Department of Planning before it can proceed with the second tower.