Can you imagine life without the convenience of drive-thru windows?
Well, leaders in one midwest city are trying to do just that.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the city’s planning commission is supporting a zoning code amendment that would ban any new drive-thru window within city limits. Current drive-thru windows would be permitted to stay, being grandfathered into the new code.
The proposal cites “noise, extended idling, proliferation of curb cuts, conflicts with pedestrians and traffic generation” as reasons for cutting drive-thru windows.
“We know that we need to reduce our emissions significantly,” Planning Commission President Sam Rockwell told the Star Tribune. “Reducing that infrastructure that encourages driving is important.”
Currently, drive-thrus are permitted in only six of Minneapolis’ 23 zoning districts, so some say the move won’t affect much.
“On the surface, this seems like it is something that would seem controversial,” Commissioner Matthew Brown said. “But when you look at the small number of applications for new drive-throughs … it’s actually quite small.”
The move is part of the city’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which was passed last year by the City Council but has yet to be formally adopted.
The public will have a chance to speak out on the amendment during a public hearing in early June, and then head back to the planning commission for a vote before going to City Council.
