12/7/13 - Hookah lounges, smoking bars and other such smoking-related establishments will come under review in order to establish a set of rules and regulations in the City of Brighton. The City Council, in meeting Thursday night, acted at the request of the Planning Commission and city planning department in holding a public hearing on the second reading of a proposed ordinance to establish a moratorium on such businesses. Hookah lounges in particular have become very popular of late as a place where friends or co-workers can sit and have casual conversations while smoking a flavored tobacco from a hookah pipe, or water pipe. Such places generally offer coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks, although most do not sell alcoholic beverages. Some even have full-service restaurants. City Manager Dana Foster tells WHMI council voted to place a six-month moratorium on such establishments until city staff studies the issue and can recommend locations and other parameters governing such businesses in the city. Mayor Jim Muzzin says the moratorium will buy some time for the city to craft the proper language, adding the city could designate a zoning district which would allow for such businesses. Council emphasized that in enacting the moratorium, the city is in no way attempting to prohibit the location of smoking or hookah lounges in the City of Brighton but only wants to regulate them properly. (TT)
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