A developer's plan to build to a height of 90 feet on Hawai'i Kai Drive moved a step further yesterday in the public hearing process as the City Council Zoning Committee recommended approval and referred the issue to the full council at its July 5 meeting.

The developer of Hale Alii, a proposed 297-unit condominium project on 3.8 acres, seeks a zoning change to allow the building to go up to 10 stories in a staggered design to create a sense of open space along Hawai'i Kai Drive.

Present zoning allows building heights of 40 and 60 feet.