So, Lawrence is a tough place to start a new business, you say.

Maybe, maybe not.

Members of the city’s Retail Task Force on Tuesday were of a divided mind on the issue, but directed staff members to study whether city regulations are a major reason new retail businesses bypass Lawrence.

At least some task force members said it sure seemed so.

“Retailers are trying to do business in the community, but many are perceiving they are being met with a closed door,” said Allison Vance Moore, a Lawrence-based commercial real estate broker.

But city staff members said they are working with businesses, and need more specifics about what issues they are having with the code.

“You have to drill into the specifics,” City Manager David Corliss said. “Is it reasonable to have a fire sprinkler system when you have a fast-food kitchen? Some people believe it is reasonable.”

Staff members also pointed to a number of recent projects that have gone through the development process rather quickly: A multi-story retirement complex near Sixth and Folks Road; a seven-story apartment and retail building at Ninth and New Hampshire (which received a building permit this week); the Oread hotel; a new Orscheln Farm and Home; a Tractor Supply store; the Discovery furniture store on South Iowa; and a new Dollar General store in North Lawrence.

Rob Chestnut, the task force chairman and a city commissioner, said he does hear concerns from potential business owners about the city’s development process. He asked staff members to look at the process — particularly at how it works for the smallest of businesses — but said there has to be a balance.

“We’ve all been through communities where you say, ‘This community was pretty desperate,'” Chestnut said. “The problem with bad planning is you have to live with it for the next 50 years.”

The task force is expected to deliver to city commissioners a series of recommendations on how to boost the community’s retail industry by the end of the year.