Workshop's Chris Cherry and menswear designer Murray Crane are among the retailers, cafe owners and lawyers opposing a $4 million redesign of Freyberg Square.
A $3 million refurbishment of Ellen Melville Hall, which fronts the square, is proposed to take place at the same time.
Waitemata Local Board chairman Shale Chambers said it was clear there are concerns from businesses and these need to be worked through.
Feedback on Freyberg Square showed a desire for more comfortable seating, proper lighting and CCTV cameras, and reviewing the planting choices from a preference by council planners for natives to more shade and deciduous trees.
Said one submitter: "I note that in summer there are many people eating lunch in this area and think better seating facilities are needed, for example long benches - and maybe more timber."
"It's important to ensure that the design is accessible for the community as a whole - it needs to be safe, with adequate lighting, plenty of seated areas, be accessible for peoples with disabilities and ensure that there are lots of natural features such as trees and plants," said another submitter.
The proposal to remove an Indian bead tree in the middle of the square, four large Phoenix palms outside the Metropolis Building and plant native pohutukawa trees and nikau palms drew a lot of feedback.
"The tree selection is completely inappropriate for an urban environment. I personally love Nikau Palms, they're my favourite tree, but even I don't think they should be used in this application.
"Both the pohutukawa and the nikaus will create damp dark seating areas in winter. And in summer, pohutukawa are not an ideal tree to sit under, they shed foliage and dirt and attract bees," said one submitter.
• The feedback report can be read here:
