Culver City Pushes Back Against In-N-Out Drive-Through Plans

Culver City is resisting the expansion of In-N-Out, a popular burger chain, amidst concerns about the negative impacts of drive-throughs. The city’s residents fear increased pollution and traffic congestion, along with safety hazards for children, especially near a major intersection.

The recent proposal to introduce an In-N-Out with a large drive-through in Culver City met with significant opposition. Residents voiced their concerns at a City Council meeting, leading to a temporary halt on new drive-through developments. The Council extended this pause to study the potential impacts more thoroughly.

Drive-throughs are pollution monsters. They are obsolete.

Leah Pressman, a resident, expressed strong objections to opening new drive-throughs, describing them as sources of pollution.

Additional safety concerns were raised by Theresa Attias, highlighting the danger posed by distracted drivers and the odor of fast food affecting schoolchildren nearby.

The City Council, influenced by community feedback, imposed a 45-day ban on new drive-through projects. This decision was supported unanimously, extending the moratorium by ten months to further consider a permanent ban.

Bubba Fish, vice mayor and council member, noted that community involvement influenced this decision. Local organizers, such as Vanessa Martin, suggested that encouraging walkability could foster local business and help vulnerable residents.

While the idea of banning drive-throughs has appeared in other California cities, it remains contentious. Drive-throughs, a staple since the 1960s, face criticism for contributing to pollution and social isolation. Research suggests they are more common in urban and suburban areas than previously thought.

Experts, such as Daniel Mendoza of the University of Utah, have highlighted the environmental impact of long lines of idling cars at drive-throughs. Studies in Houston indicate that emissions are lower in facilities with fewer stops and lanes.

Despite some cities maintaining restrictions, others, like Carlsbad, have re-evaluated their stance, weighing economic benefits with the impacts on traffic and the environment.

In Culver City, the moratorium does not affect existing drive-throughs, with the proposed In-N-Out being the first new drive-through since 1997. The development plan has provisions for significant parking and a double-lane drive-through.

Councilmember Albert Vera expressed initial support for the In-N-Out drive-through, admitting that community feedback made him reconsider. The decision on future drive-throughs remains pending further analysis and public consultation.