The Hamilton Central City Transformation Plan was endorsed by council's business and investment sub-committee yesterday with a recommendation that the Strategy and Policy Committee agree to public engagement.
The only objector was councillor Andrew King, whose main objection concerned the Plan's proposal to establish three distinct precincts within the central city.
The areas include Victoria for residential and mixed use, a business district, and the south end for hospitality and entertainment. Victoria refers to a precinct mapped out by Council,which encompasses a number of streets.
"I've driven around these areas and I struggle to see how Victoria can be a residential area without huge expense and serious restrictions to some people.
"You have multi-storey buildings with offices in these areas. I shudder at the wealth that is going to change hands in this plan.
"The areas are already developed and to try and change it is to play with the value of people's property."
Mr King also queried where the money for the project would coming from, without any inclusion having been made in Council's most recent 10-year plan.
Mayor Julie Hardaker said the plan accounted for expenditure, with any major projects having to be presented before the Council as normal.
Public consultation is scheduled to take three weeks - a period which Mr King said was too short.
Councillor Margaret Forsyth said people could be over-consulted.
"Let's get it out - see what the public have to say," she said.
Councillor Angela O'Leary said she supported the plan, and was encouraged by its congruence to suggestions from organisations like the Hamilton Central Business Association.
"Property developers are saying they want rejuvenation of the CBD. This is not just about building pavement and roading in Garden Place. This is doing everything the research is saying needs to be done with the CBD.
"If we are going to put in a garden or a road let's do it with some purpose," said Ms O'Leary.
Ms Hardaker said Council had lost sight of the end game, and that people too often did not know where development was going.
"It's the private sector that will drive this," she said.
As well as reshaping and defining distinct precinct identities in Victoria, the south end, and the business district, the Plan also aims to incorporate the Waikato River in the transformation, starting with the Ferrybank.
It also proposes to create a defined 'green frame' and other green spaces around the city and strengthening connections around the city for pedestrians and vehicle traffic.
Attracting investment and business by reducing red tape and beautification of the city are also key parts of the Plan.
Despite population living in the inner city growing over the last 15 years, the report stated numbers were still well short of those needed for sustained prosperity.
In order to increase residency Victoria was identified as a key location for medium density housing because it was well serviced with schools and other amenities like gyms and supermarkets. One of the objectives of the area is to create the '20 minute neighbourhood', with a range of activities within 20 minutes' travel.
Garden Place is also targeted in the report, with aims to extend and add feature gardens, installation of a continuous news screen for public viewing and the instalment of shade umbrellas, tables and chairs.
It also proposes a new façade for the library and an upgrade to Civic Square fountain within the next 10 years.
Other work ear-marked for the next decade include extending an avenue of trees on Victoria St down to London St, pedestrianising Victoria St between London and Liverpool Sts, and extending the shared zone in Garden Place along Alexander St to Collingwood St.
The plan also creates two distinct parking zones - a blue zone will extend from London St into the central city with free parking before 9am and after 3pm and no time restrictions on Sundays and public holidays, and an orange zone outside this area will have on-street parking as signposted.
The Strategy and Policy Committee meets next Tuesday.
The report was budgeted at $80,000 and took 12 months to complete.