Every Sunday, “Back in the Day” looks at an article that ran on this date in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. The items are verbatim, so don’t blame us today for yesteryear’s bad grammar.
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A wary City Council decided yesterday to take no action on legislation clearing the way for a new 24-story apartment building near the base of Diamond Head until a public hearing has been held on the matter.
A date for the hearing will be set at next Tuesday’s Council meeting.
Meanwhile, Council members appeared to be having some misgivings about a pending ordinance which would permit construction of the controversial building, even though such structures will be illegal after March 26.
The measure would make an exception to a height and density control bill approved by the Council last year by allowing a variance, granted in 1959 to the Tai Construction Company, to remain in effect after the March 26 deadline.
The Council approved the exception on the first two readings by a vote of 8 to 1, with Councilman Herman G.P. Lemke casting the only dissenting vote. The measure is now awaiting a third and final reading.
A poll of the Council members revealed that those who originally voted for continuing the variance are now undecided on how they will vote on the third reading.
One lawmaker, Yoshiro Nakamura, has already said he will join Lemke in opposing approval. …
Mayor Neal S. Blaisdell stepped into the controversy yesterday, saying he was opposed to any exceptions to legislation controlling the height and density of buildings on Oahu.
“I am firmly opposed to any exceptions” to the … measure approved last year, Blaisdell said.
The decision to hold off any action until after a public hearing came when Council Chairman Masato Doi talked to Council members individually and asked them their views on a public hearing. The members agreed to hold the public hearing before bringing the bill up for a third reading.
At least two individuals have called for a public hearing.
The initial request was made by H.M. McCarty, manager of the Sans Souci apartments, which are located adjacent to the site proposed fo the new building.
A public hearing also was requested by Max E. Esternaux of 2877 Kalakaua Avenue. His request came in a letter to the Council.
