“By pushing these commercial businesses into (manufacturing zones), you’re almost pushing them out of business,” said one business owner. “They will not have the commercial traffic flow necessary to sustain their business. With that, the city will lose out, and the people of Lubbock will lose out.”

Existing businesses would be grandfathered in if this amendment were to pass. The land would continue to be grandfathered unless it were to sit vacant for at least a year.

Griffith, though, agreed the C-4 zoning code needs to be cleaned. He said there are too many acceptable uses for the zoning to be effective and protect nearby homeowners.

The council and city staff said they will meet with stakeholders before the amendment comes back to the council in January.

The item was tabled without much discussion from the council.

We thank Lubbock Avalanche-Journal for reprint permission.