City Bans Drive-Through Restaurants

On an appeal by McDonald's, Ontario Municipal Board upholds city ban on drive-through restarants.

1 minute read

February 15, 2004, 1:00 PM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


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."

Thanks to Adam Krom

Tuesday, February 10, 2004 in The Toronto Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 18, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

Low view of row of red, grey, and black Tesla electric cars.

Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch

The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

San Francisco Muni bus on street, line 14 with MISSION - Ferry Plaza" on front marquee.

How to Fund SF’s Muni Without Cutting Service

Three solutions for bridging the San Francisco transit agency’s budget gap without reducing service for transit-dependent riders.

3 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Blue Austin public transit bus with graphic reading "I ride to keep the city clean and earth happy."

Austin Tests Self-Driving Bus

Autonomous buses could improve bus yard operations for electric fleets, according to CapMetro.

4 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive