Zespri's plans to place temporary office space on Mount Maunganui parkland could be given the green light despite more than 50 submissions opposing the application.

This afternoon Tauranga City councillors will discuss the proposal to lease the section of vacant land in Miro Street to the kiwifruit giant for two years.

The vacant parkland on Miro Street.

The proposal covers 648m2 of the 3594m2 council-owned land, which is zoned commercial, and there will be continued public access and use of the remaining green space.

Zespri International Ltd is currently located adjacent to the parkland on Maunganui Road. It is understood their offices are over capacity and excess staff are in need temporary office accommodation while a longer-term solution is sought.

Since Tauranga City Council opened the application up to public consultation earlier this month, 52 submissions have been received in opposition.

Despite this, a council report to be presented to councillors today recommends granting the proposed lease on a short term basis.

Zespri will need to confirm to TCC chief executive Garry Poole they have a staff parking plan in place that mitigates the effects of parking in the area, if the lease is granted.

Concerns raised from the 52 submissions include parking and traffic woes, the removal of trees and birdlife, and the financial benefit of the lease.

Submitters believe an increase in staff parking on residential streets will in turn add further danger to children playing in Miro Street while the removal of trees will detract from the streetscape.

There are also concerns that allowing the lease sets an 'undesirable precedent” as Zespri's medium term future is not likely to be on the site.

Opposition says a private organisation should not encroach on public land, as there is plenty of commercial land elsewhere.

TCC property services manager Anthony Averill, in the report says, if approved a Zespri staff parking management plane must be submitted to council prior to the start of the lease, taking into account the concerns of residents.

It must also provide an alternative local for staff to park where they are not parking on the residential side of the adjoining streets.

A second condition is that no more than three trees are to be removed from the site to make way for the proposed building.

Anthony says the temporary lease will still allow community use and The Little Big Markets will continue to operate on the site.

SunLive will have a full report following this afternoon's council meeting.