A Lehighton business owner is concerned with how proposed changes to the borough’s zoning ordinances would affect his operation.

Robert March, president of Standard Metal Industries, 500 S. 9th St., asked borough council last week if there was a reason why the zoning is changing.

Borough solicitor Jim Nanovic said that the borough’s zoning ordinance has been updated.

“The borough applied for and received a grant,” Nanovic said. “It needed to be updated.”

March said he is worried the zoning changes would affect his business.

“This decision would probably adversely affect us,” March said. “It just may not be in all of our best interests.”

Nanovic suggested to council that it table the matter to give them the opportunity to make any suggestions on how they’d like to see things changed in writing.

Councilman Ryan Saunders assured March the zoning changes are not meant to adversely affect businesses.

“The idea is not to hinder businesses,” Saunders said. “We’ll do our best to try to work with you.”

After the meeting, borough Manager Steve Travers said a portion of March’s business would change to open space conservation and would match the flood plain.

Travers said March’s property under the Municipal Planning Code would be what’s considered a legal non-conforming use, which means that designation would stay with the property as long as they would not abandon the use.

He added that all properties that would be affected by the change would also be considered a legal non-conforming use.

Council is expected to revisit the matter when it meets at 7 p.m. Nov. 7, at which time it may look to advertise the zoning ordinance for adoption.

The borough had received multi-municipal funding from the state Department of Community and Economic Development to update its zoning and Subdivision and Land Development ordinances.