A proposal to sell the large Auckland Council-owned carpark in the centre of Takapuna has drawn strong reaction, with opponents making 1183 submissions and 838 in support.
Jan O'Connor of the Devonport Takapuna Local Board opposes the change and said the area was intensifying with a collection of apartment blocks under construction so more open space was needed and the land, bought by the council in 1964, should remain open space, available for the Sunday morning markets.
She threw the council's own words back at it, saying in her submission: "To quote from your foreword 'as density in Takapuna intensifies balancing future housing and commercial needs with the increasing importance of public space is of utmost importance to our community'."
O'Connor said: "We need a vision for the land. Carparking must be retained and increased - the council has a moral right to do this."
The council sought submissions on the changes at 40 Anzac St, turning the single-level asphalt carpark into an area of mixed development which could include "new public open space, retail, offices and residential uses, with related carparking." The area is a 250-space carpark in the centre of Takapuna between Anzac St and Lake Rd, adjacent to Potters Park.