Grant Whyte, from Fencing Services in Lower Cameron St, said he was against the idea and did not like the harm legal highs caused.
"It's nasty stuff and shouldn't be sold at all. I wouldn't want [a legal high shop] near my business. I'll be making a submission [opposing the zone]," Mr Whyte said.
Sandy and Ian Benjamin, from Rainbows Relics in Clyde St, did not want legal high shops nearby. Mrs Benjamin said she would seriously consider moving - and billing the council for the costs - if the plan was approved.
"We don't want it here and they should be totally banned. I think it will impact on our business if they are sold from here," she said.
Dean Abel, owner of Snow Brothers Auto Electric, on Clyde St, also lives in the street and was opposed to selling legal highs there, or anywhere, but accepted the Government made those decisions, not the council.
"I can relate to what the council is trying to do, but legal highs need to be banned, full stop.
"If the council can ban alcohol in the CBD with a bylaw why can't they ban legal highs in the same way?" Mr Abel said.
Colin Ridings, manager of Carl Johnson Autos on Albert St, said he could not see much chance of a legal high shop opening in the street - there was nowhere free for one to open - but he wanted legal highs banned.
Mr Thomas said the effects of legal highs on individuals included changes in perception, mood consciousness, cognition and behaviour.
"Under the act, there is no enforcement role for council, yet we have significant concern about the risk of harm to the community caused by increasing the number of retailers selling psychoactive products," Mr Thomas said.
"The purpose of the [draft policy] is to provide guidance to the regulatory authority when considering applications from the Whangarei District."