Cromwell Community Board members this week considered the youth worker trust's design plans but resolved to hold the matter over and work with the trust towards another outcome.
Board chairman Neil Gillespie said the proposed development was bigger than expected following a preliminary report from the trust in October last year.
It also proposed a shed be situated between the building and adjoining property, effectively blocking what board members called a popular walkway between the mall area and the supermarket.
Board member Helen Hucklebridge said while she did not want to be a "killjoy", she did not like the idea.
"I don't like the shed ... blocking the accessway and I don't like the 1m-high fence around there.
"Maybe I'm just a bit paranoid, but it seems like the ideal place for people to jump [the fence] and take their cans of beer or RTDs (premixed alcoholic drinks) and have a barbecue."
Concerns were also raised around the timing and how it would fit in with the five-year town centre and mall redevelopment.
Stage four of that redevelopment, programmed for 2015-16, concerned the western entrance to the town centre which is where the youth centre is situated.
Mr Gillespie said they might be able to come to some kind of compromise with the trust in the interim.
Board members Glen Christiansen and Gordon Stewart were appointed to discuss those issues with the trust.
