Trendy LA suburb considers banning all drive-thrus in major change

Key Points:

• Culver City officials are considering a permanent ban on new drive-thru businesses, which could halt plans for a new In-N-Out Burger, the first drive-thru proposed since 1997.
• The proposed In-N-Out would include 61 parking spaces and a two-lane drive-thru designed to merge around an outdoor seating area, but has faced opposition from residents concerned about traffic, child safety, and air pollution.
• The city council is debating extending a temporary moratorium on new drive-thru permits for over 10 months to study a permanent prohibition, following an initial 45-day ban enacted last month.
• Opponents highlight the restaurant’s proximity to El Rincon Elementary School and Blanco Park, citing increased risks for children walking or biking due to traffic and drive-thru congestion.
• Local residents and neighborhood associations warn that the fast-food establishment would exacerbate existing traffic congestion and lead to long drive-thru lines spilling onto public streets.