San Diego Proposes To Ban New Drive-Thru Restaurants

The City of San Diego is proposing to ban new drive-thru restaurants near mass transit but it's facing strong opposition from the restaurant industry and community leaders.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, supporters believe the plan would be logical and essential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging people to take public transit, cycle, or walk.

While the proposal would not require existing drive-thrus located by transit to close, it would bar new ones from opening. It would only apply to restaurants and not drive-thru pharmacies or banks, according to the Union-Tribune.

The ban would also only apply to areas designated as "transit priority areas," which are areas within a half-mile of a trolley line, a bus rapid transit station, or two high-frequency bus routes.

On the other end, opponents say the plan would discourage restaurants that rely on drive-thrus from opening in the city, particularly in low-income neighborhoods.

They also point out the plan makes it harder for those who need cars to get around like disabled people and the elderly.

The widespread opposition has persuaded city officials to delay approval of the new policy and they will meet with the local restaurant industry to discuss how such bans were handled in other cities like Palm Springs and Long Beach.