Principles behind a planned development on an empty section in Papamoa's township are seeking a zone change from Tauranga City Council to allow for creation of a new mixed use development.

The 7356m2 section alongside Domain Road, between Papamoa Beach Road and Percy Road, is currently zoned residential.

The current empty site on Domain Road.

Plans for the new multi-use complex featuring retail, cafes and office space.

But developers of the site today approached council seeking to have part of it re-zoned to commercial through a private plan change.

Current plans are to create a mixed-use development featuring retail shops, first floor offices and a multi-storey residential development at the rear of the site, says Rob Benge, from Matrixx Consultants Ltd.

The complex will be set back from the road frontage by a wide promenade.

Plans are for 1250m2 ground floor retail space to include cafes, surf shops and other outlets. Office space on the first floor is currently planned to be 425m2, on the north east Domain Road corner, Papamoa Beach Road end of the site.

A rough sketch of the size and bulk of the development was presented at the public meeting today, but the developers' representative Bob Wooler says it's a rough concept only and no design work has been undertaken.

The purpose of the public forum address is to seek an indication of council support for the concept before committing to the $100,000 drawing's process required for the plan change.

Owner Graham Rodgers has an existing consent to build a three storey, 58-unit motel on the site – or 22 houses.

'He's owned the land for a number of years, and it's been through a number of different concepts over the years,” says Bob.

'Papamoa has grown its own identity - it's very much different to where it was 10-15 years ago.

'He wants to do something he will be proud of and also that Papamoa will be proud of.”

The concept design incorporates a large set back from Domain Road, allowing for a wide promenade under a first floor verandah, sheltering the retail section.

It's a place where people will be able to cross over Domain Road from the beach and have a coffee or a meal, similar to the ground floor retail shops under the Mount Twin Towers apartments, says David Needham from Harrison Grierson consultants.

'We would hope it would become a destination, come to the beach and have a coffee afterwards. It's on the bus routes,” says David.