The Honolulu City Council narrowly approved a measure to allow a fire station to be built closer to Chinatown.

In a 5-4 vote, the Council on Wednesday authorized the Honolulu Fire Department to adjust the Public Infrastructure Map adopted in 2017 by adding a fire symbol that is required for the Council to appropriate any funds for construction.

However, several residents in the area and the Downtown Chinatown Neighborhood Board submitted testimony opposing the measure.

In the neighborhood board’s statement, it said the discussion over the possible relocation of a fire station closer to Chinatown drew the most participants to any neighborhood meeting in many years.

The main complaints listed by community members were concerns about the loud sounds and increased traffic that the fire station would cause in the area that already experiences a high density of residents.

However, Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Mokulehua said that including the fire symbol on the map would allow the department to begin planning for the future.

“We do feel that we could collaborate more with the community to ensure that … we’re all on the same page,” he said.

“This will provide us with the opportunity to plan for the future, so that we’re maintaining our services for the community.”

Mokulehua estimated that it likely would be at least 10 years before the fire station would be built. However, putting the fire symbol on the map is one of the first steps to begin conceptualizing the new structure, and pinpointing a location. The symbol is placed on Marks Garage, but the department said that location is not definite.

Council member Carol Fukunaga, who represents the Chinatown area, raised concerns about moving the measure forward.

“The location that the fire department is proposing is immediately abutting the densest and most crowded portion of Chinatown with over 2,700 condominium units in the immediate vicinity,” she said.

“I strongly objected to the fire department moving this resolution forward, when you have overwhelming community opposition as to the timing of this location, and concerns about the lack of really meaningful dialogue.”

Currently, the Central Fire Station that services Downtown, Chinatown, Vineyard, Iwilei and lower Liliha can only accommodate one fire engine, which is its busiest. The department is unable to do renovations to the current location because it is a historical building, which they say is cost prohibitive.

The department is envisioning the new station to include up to five fire engines, mixed-gender crew quarters and parking for employees.

Council members Fukunaga, Augie Tulba, Heidi Tsuneyoshi and Andria Tupola voted against the measure.