Proposed In-N-Out Spurs Push To Ban New Drive-Thrus In Culver City

CULVER CITY, CA — New drive-thrus are effectively off the table in Culver City for nearly a year as city officials move toward a permanent ban prompted by opposition to a proposed In-N-Out Burger.

The City Council voted Monday to extend a 45-day moratorium on drive-thru businesses for another 10 ½ months. City staff members have begun drafting language for a permanent ban, LAist reported.

The proposed ordinance would first go before the Culver City Planning Commission, which would make a recommendation to the council. The council would then consider the measure for final approval. Hearing dates have not been announced.

The issue emerged earlier this year after In-N-Out proposed opening a restaurant at the Studio Village Shopping Center at Sepulveda and Sawtelle boulevards, SFGate reported.

Plans call for a roughly 3,890-square-foot restaurant with seating for 84 customers indoors and 44 outdoors. The property would also include 61 parking spaces and a drive-thru lane capable of holding 26 vehicles, KTLA reported.

The restaurant would operate until 1 a.m. most nights and until 1:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Residents who attended community meetings raised concerns about traffic, vehicle idling, air pollution, pedestrian safety and late-night activity, SFGate reported. A petition opposing the project has attracted nearly 1,000 signatures.

In-N-Out has not received permits or approvals to begin construction, according to SFGate.

Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, a leading supporter of the proposed ban, told the publication that his opposition is focused on drive-thrus rather than the restaurant chain itself.

“I heard from so many residents that they were really, deeply concerned about this In-N-Out,” Fish told SFGATE, citing traffic and air-quality concerns.

In-N-Out has said the restaurant would bring well-paying jobs, affordable food and additional sales tax revenue to Culver City, KTLA reported. The company also said the location would not create significant noise compared with surrounding street traffic.

Culver City has not permitted a new drive-thru restaurant since 1997, SFGate reported.

Although four council members supported extending the moratorium, Councilmember Albert Vera said he would consider Planning Commission recommendations that stop short of a complete citywide prohibition, LAist reported.