NEDERLAND — After years of planning and discussion the approval of the Whataburger in Nederland went without hardly a notice at the regular meeting of the Nederland City Council Monday afternoon.

The Council ratified the second reading of the incentive of $150,000 from the Nederland Economic Development Corp. to Columbine Properties, LLC (dba Whataburger). This is the final step of the process.

City manager Chris Duque called the addition of the eatery a good move for the community in that it is a business that is appealing not only to Nederland residents and citizens but one that will attract other people to the city and the business.

The Whataburger will be located on Nederland Avenue adjacent to Burger King.

Kay DeCuir, NEDC executive director, said the eatery should be completed and open by the summer.

Another economic development project was approving the preliminary plan of “the Landing” subdivision.

This subdivisions means the laying out of the roads, infrastructure and easements associated with the 4.83 acres of land near the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.

One requirement is to have a turnaround in the street a fire truck could make.

Councilmember Talmadge Austin was concerned about the new development displacing water since the flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey.

George Wheeler, building official, said the engineer has done the drainage calculations and the drainage is of sufficient size for the outfall to handle the runoff.

Duque said all of these things have been taken into consideration.

The Council scheduled a joint public hearing at 4:30 p.m. on March 12 for the purpose of discussing and receiving comments for a specific use permit for 3503 Nederland Ave. Plans are to open a liquor store between the former Dollar General Store and Golden Dragon restaurant.

Some renovations will be needed on the building and the parking lot. Parking will be on the right hand side.

The Council also extended the Hurricane Harvey debris and reconstruction debris collection and disposal services until the end of March.

Austin said some residents have just recently found a contractor to work on their homes.

The city is still seeking to get a reimbursement for their 10 percent match with the federal government’s 90 percent match for pickup.

Duque said Harvey was a different kind of storm from Rita and Ike and cleanup may drag out until the spring.

Mayor Dick Nugent complimented city street crews for “really busting their tails” to get the city cleaned.