Santa Clarita Passes Temporary Ban On New Restaurant Drive-Thru Lanes

SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA) – The city of Santa Clarita Tuesday passed a temporary ban on new fast food drive-thru lanes because of issues with long lines which they say have created serious traffic problems.

The Santa Clarita City Council unanimously approved an ordinance which puts a 45-day moratorium on any new drive-thru locations.

Current city policy requires that drive-thru lanes be designed to accommodate a line of six cars, equivalent to about 200 feet in length. However, the ordinance alleges that lines have been significantly longer than that.

"When drive-through lines extend significantly on private property, the lines can create parking and circulation conflicts in the shopping centers where they are located," the ordinance read. "Those lines can extend across sidewalks and into drive-way aprons, and even onto City streets, which can result in significant traffic hazards, including unexpected stopping of vehicles, blind spots, unsafe lane changes to avoid lines on City streets, and hazards to pedestrians attempting to cross driveway aprons and streets impacted by lines of cars."

Residents say the popularity of a local In-N-Out drive-thru highlights the problem.

"They need to do something, especially out here, it's growing out here," said Suzie Catalano. "That drive-thru is awful because it curves around and you can't get in or out."

The city council will meet again in 45 days to decide whether to extend the ban for a full year.