The "minor re-siting'' of the proposed watersports building on the Lake Wanaka foreshore has not made the project more acceptable to Queenstown Lakes District Council planner Sarah Picard.
In a report to commissioners Robert Nixon and David Clarke, hearing a resource consent application for the building, Ms Picard said she remained of the opinion "that the ability to grant consent continues to be limited''.
After a hearing in April, the commissioners called for information on the re-siting idea raised at the hearing by the Wanaka Watersports Facilities Trust.
Ms Picard said she took account of comments from council consultant landscape architect Richard Denney who concluded the new site made "small'' visual improvements but "not to a degree'' where the overall effects differed from the original proposed location.
"The adverse effects on landscape associated with the proposal would remain more than minor,'' Ms Picard said.
The new location would reduce the number of trees to be cut down but the building was nearer to protected sequoia trees.
Council arborist Tim Errington, in his report, said his only concern was the lack of information about the location of services to the new structure.
"Should new services be located within the root zone of a tree identified for retention, there is potential for significant long-term harm to occur as well as reducing the structural stability of any tree affected,'' he said.
Ms Picard said if consent was granted, a condition could be put in place to protect the tree roots.
She considered the re-siting had provided "some small improvement'' in the visual effects of the building by retaining some trees, and improved safety for pedestrians.
But, based on Mr Denney's landscape assessment, the amended design had "not substantively changed the visual effects'' to a point where they were no more than minor.
"The proposal remains contrary to the objectives and policies for open space and recreation, and rural character.''
The trust has a right of reply deadline of July 18.
