The East Lansing City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to defer a decision for a special-use permit for Troppo, 213 Ann St.

Troppo, which is asking for a permit to build a second-story addition to the restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, will not have a decision from the council until July 17.

Councilmember Bill Sharp, who will be on a special committee to meet with Troppo owner Kris Elliott and discuss any concerns, said he had come to the meeting with the intention on voting to approve the special-use permit.

“I think we need a committee of the council to sit with the applicant and discuss things in private,” he said. “If we’ve gone nine months, another 30 days won’t make much of a difference.”

Mayor Mark Meadow supported the 30-day deferment, saying there were many questions council members needed to have answered.

“I am concerned that there is very little track record other than police reports and the city manager’s report,” he said. “Rooftop dining is a positive thing for the downtown area, but we should put together a group that would examine this and report to us in the next 30 days.”

Elliott would like to start construction as soon as possible but said he’s very optimistic that after meeting with a committee, the council will approve the permit.

“I think it was a good decision (to defer a vote for 30 days) if it is going to support a better downtown,” he said. “We would like the whole community to know what we are doing and apparently there are those who have questions.”