City Bans Drive-Through Restaurants

Toronto has banned drive-throughs within 30 meters of homes. This opinion piece discusses the history of this ordinance and praises the city's action."Drive-throughs first became a hot topic in November, 2001, when McDonald's announced it intended to turn its outlet at St. Clair Ave. W. and Christie St. into a drive-through. Naturally, the neighbours objected and the city swung into action, passing an interim control bylaw that prohibited drive-throughs from that part of Toronto for a year. In 2003, city council adopted a permanent bylaw banning drive-throughs. It was then appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board by the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association, the Canadian Bankers Association and a host of other business interests, including OMERS. Late in January, however, the OMB threw out their case."