Tauranga City Council has resolved to keep ownership of the Mount Maunganui library and the Plunket centre, while selling or leasing part of the remainder of the block.

The Zespri block decision flows on from a public consultation process and was made under the eyes of a number of residents.

The 8000m2 site now occupied by Zespri, was the former Mount Maunganui Borough Council offices, which were built near the library and Plunket rooms that occupy the land on a perpetual peppercorn rental.

Described by some councillors as a win, win, win; it keeps the library and Plunket on council land, and frees the remainder of the block for lease or sale.

The decision also retains 3,500m2 of land for greenspace – but the location of the greenspace is not locked in.

The height restriction on the property is 12 metres or about four stories, which councillors admitted would to be good to keep north of public land to avoid excessive shading.

The consultation process started after Zespri announced last year that it was looking for expanded premises. The council sought public consultation on the grounds the land was to be sold to reduce debt.

In answer to questions planning staff say that direction didn't overly affect the outcome.

There were 198 submissions received on the proposal with 151, opposing the council selling all or part of the land.

Steve Morris's motion that improvements be considered for the Mount Maugnaui library in line with the contents of the confidential agenda was carried.

'I don't think I would be breaking confidentiality if I said ‘shade sail', says Steve.

'Our community would expect that if they are going to lose something.

'If you are going to take something away by locking something up or demolishing an old council building then you need to consider whether you do some further work.”

Mayor Stuart Crosby says the community felt strongly about retaining open space on the site.

'We have taken this on board,” says Stuart.

'Retaining space for a park will ensure we have the ability to cater for community activities and events, as part of our strategic events focus to encourage a thriving city, in the future. It will also help alleviate pressure from other event spaces in the vicinity, such as Blake Park and Coronation Park.”

Council received 198 submissions – 37 of which supported Council selling part or all of 384-410 Maunganui Road, and 151 did not support selling part or all of the land.