A plan to build five towers on the site of the former Kam Drive-In in Aiea was given a thumbs up recommendation by the city Planning Commission Wednesday.

The rezoning application for the 15-acre site across Kaonohi Street from Pearlridge Center will now go to the Honolulu City Council.

Planned are 1,500 units on five buildings – two with a maximum height of 150 feet, and one each with maximum heights of 350, 300 and 250 feet. The current height limit is 60 feet.

Some area residents have voiced concerns about increased traffic and loss of view planes. Los Angeles-based Robertson Properties Group said it is making several million dollars in road improvements – including a new main street stretching from Moanalua Road to Kaonohi Street and signalized intersections to go with them. The developer also said it has re-configured its project to minimize the impact on view planes.

All of the half dozen or so members of the public who testified were in favor of the project, mostly citing the need for affordable homes in the area as well as jobs.