However, seven prominent sites in Victoria Rd had single-storey buildings and the potential for redevelopment.
The plan lumped Devonport in with all other town centres, which went against its promise to recognise and respect unique features of diverse communities.
Classing Devonport as a town centre with a 16.5m height zoning could be used to justify increased development and density.
"The classification ignores the fact that most of the buildings in Victoria Rd are Category A listed in the District Plan whose value would be severely compromised if highly glazed four-storey buildings are built around the Category A listed places."
The Unitary Plan proposed to protect business historic areas and heritage areas elsewhere, for example, at Ellerslie. Conservation areas had been established in Renall St, Freemans Bay and in Princes St, City.
Devonport Heritage was proposing a conservation area which did not seek to prevent change but to manage future development to stop historic character being eroded.
Improvement and changes should be made in sympathy with the streetscape as well as the buildings, with rules for signs, street furniture, paving, lighting and paint colours.
Unitary Plan manager John Duguid said: "We are happy to look into this proposal as we go through feedback on the draft Unitary Plan."
Devonport's historic heart
• Esplanade Hotel (1903), Victoria Theatre (1912).
• 34 commercial buildings are listed as scheduled historic in the District Plan.
• 16.5m height allowed in Unitary Plan's town centre proposal.
• 8m or two-storey limit sought by Devonport Heritage's conservation area proposal.
