A design for Balclutha's Main Street is a step closer, following feedback.
Residents lodged 116 submissions on the $2.6 million upgrade, with many concerned about loss of parking, a proposed town heart in John St, and trees to be planted.
Clutha District Council senior roading engineer Geoff Young told the district assets committee last week loss of parking was ''clearly a concern to many'' as the concept plan initially suggested losing 48 parks - or 19% of the total 257 public car parks.
Councillor Hamish Anderson said he had asked several submitters if there was a trade-off for parks and trees.
''The people of Balclutha seem to think change is not necessary ... People without an invalid sticker in Balclutha need to learn that legs are for walking.''
Mr Young said there were larger parks near the Hotel South Otago which would be looked at. It was also possible to get the ''avenue effect'' with fewer trees than in the plan.
The project's landscape architect, Baxter Design Group, had identified five component areas for possible upgrading - the Catlins turn-off (Clyde St-High St intersection), John St, the business area in Clyde St, and the Rosebank shops and Balclutha War Memorial Hall. Councillors walked around Balclutha on Thursday to talk to residents and to visualise suggested changes.
West Otago ward councillor Jeff McKenzie said he believed Elizabeth St would be a better option for a town heart area, particularly with a vacant lot on the corner of Clyde St.
Mr Young said the empty space on Elizabeth St is owned privately, but there was no reason not to investigate that.
''I'm excited about pursuing the Elizabeth St option ... it would be great to get rid of an eyesore and toilets there could work where John St wouldn't,'' Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said.
Several residents had suggested the bridge and bridge approaches needed to be improved, and Mr Young said the council was discussing options with the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The committee recommends the concept proceeds to detailed design based on the following priority order of individual components including footpaths in each section - Clyde St (main CBD), war memorial hall, John St/Elizabeth St, Rosebank corner, and the Clyde-High St Catlins turn-off.
It also recommends the council investigates Elizabeth and George Sts as options for a town heart, surveillance cameras, siting of a dump station and motorhome parking on Charles St, lighting the Balclutha Bridge, and some significant feature for the centre town.
