Glenpark Place resident Robin Wilson said she was concerned about a negative visual impact on the neighbourhood, as well as erosion and stormwater issues.
One of the main reasons for purchasing her property was the "look and feel of the area".
"This will be totally desecrated by subdivision at [Keirunga Rd], hence our total opposition to this proceeding as per submission 266."
Keirunga Rd resident of more than 30 years, Jan Tinbolt, said his street was not capable of handling the increased traffic flows a new development would bring.
"Why would we need a housing development in this tranquil, beautiful, natural part of Havelock North? We don't need it and we don't want it."
Mr Taylor said the owners were willing to accept "watered down density" and added development controls of character residential zoning, provided the zoning extents were expanded to offset some of the potential yield lost through the change in zone.
But Mr Tinbolt said residents were opposed to development of any kind.
"We are against any development, not only 350m2 but also 700m2, because any development will increase the traffic flow, and that is absolutely not acceptable."
Long-time resident Jessica Maxwell, who gathered 240 signatures opposing the rezoning in May last year, said she was "aghast" she had not been warned of a change in the landowner's submission to accept the character residential zoning with expanded limits.
"We should have been notified of the proposed changes so we could make an informed view. What I'm aghast at is the goalposts were removed and we were totally unaware of it."