Citywide Ban on New Drive-Thrus Moves Forward in Minneapolis

"Minneapolis officials are now moving to ban new drive-throughs in an effort to cut down on vehicle traffic and meet the city’s sustainability goals," reports Miguel Otárola.

The city's Planning Commission recently voted in support of an amendment to the city's zoning code "that would prohibit new drive-throughs citywide," according to Otárola.

City councilmembers and the text of the amendment have listed numerous desired outcomes for the ban, including lowered emissions, less congestion, and safer pedestrian and bike infrastructure.

In 2016, the city approved a law that limited drive-throughs to six zoning districts in the city. Otárola also places the new citywide amendment in context of the other ongoing and recent planning efforts in the city of Minneapolis, like the City Council's approval of the Minneapolis 2040 plan and the upcoming effort to implement that transportation vision of that plan.