For the time being, there are no new restrictions on e-cigarettes in College Station.
The city council voted Monday night to defer any action to September 11th. That followed public comments. Chris Scotti of the Northgate Merchants Association says the proposed ban in businesses would hurt some members.
Northgate bar owner Frank Hageal says it would hurt his business, and the product used at his location does not contain nicotine.
Another speaker, Jonathan Payne of College Station, said e-cigarettes allowed him to stop using his asthma inhaler.
James Benham and Karl Mooney were outvoted on a e-cigarette ban limited to minors only and allowing their use in public places to continue.
In other council business:
Approval was given to an economic development agreement (EDA) with StataCorp, which is located on Lakeway Drive…along the east side of the freeway south of Willam D. Fitch. In 2011, the company purchased nine acres of land from the city. The EDA calls for the city to fastrack development plans, convert 30 acres to parkland use and vacate the back half of a sidestreet, Technology Way. In return, StataCorp has seven years to construct and occupy a $3 million dollar building and hire an additional 15 employees generating an additional payroll of at least $1 million dollars.
The council also approved changing the comprehensive plan for land use at the southwest corner of Rock Prairie and Holleman, near the Jackson Hole driving range. It will allow a commercial area featuring a convenience store. City staff say across Rock Prairie, recent approval was given to preliminary plans for a restricted suburban development.
The council met Monday instead of Thursday, in part because of the Texas A&M football season opener.
