High profile hospitality operator Luke Dallow backed an increase in pedestrian space and celebrating the road's culture and heritage. But he wasn't keen on Nosh potentially making way for another park or dedicated cycle lanes.
"We definitely need more retail on Ponsonby Rd, more than we need a greenies' cycleway."
Ponsonby Central owner Andy Davies also welcomed more space for pedestrians. But he also fired a shot at Auckland Council - urging them to cut red tape around liquor licensing and outdoor seating.
"Ponsonby Rd needs to be paved, it needs trees, it needs wider footpaths so people can sit outside. I want the council to embrace what Ponsonby Rd is and get behind it."
Waitemata Local Board deputy chairwoman Pippa Coom said the proposals were about making the busy thoroughfare a place for people as much as traffic.
"We often hear people say Ponsonby Rd could be so much better if there was more pedestrian space. This will be a blueprint for people to go on with," she said.
Despite being an important vehicle corridor with thousands of cars heading on to the Harbour Bridge at peak hour, Ponsonby Rd has been earmarked as a cycle connector.
The Draft Ponsonby Rd Masterplan included Copenhagen lanes where there was a raised surface for cyclists rather than just a painted line.
The lanes could even go between parked cars and the footpath to protect cyclists from moving traffic.
Another option was to cut the four-lane road down to two north-bound lanes and one south-bound lane in some sections so cycle lanes could be added, she said.
Other areas of development included turning sections of side streets into shared vehicle and pedestrian ways and making footpaths wider.
The Waitemata Local Board, iwi and urban planners have come up with a proposal to give the city's landmark road a makeover and mark the area as the city's key entertainment and boutique shopping destination.
Public consultation is open until September.
