Culver City council extends drive‑thru ban amid traffic and safety concerns

The Culver City City Council voted unanimously (4‑0) to extend a temporary ban on new drive‑thru restaurants for another 10 months. The extension, originally a 45‑day moratorium, aims to curb traffic congestion, improve air quality and address safety worries near El Rincon Elementary School and Blanco Park. The decision could block plans for an In‑N‑Out Burger, the first new drive‑thru in the city since 1997. Residents cited risks such as “increased turning movements, queuing, and driveway crossings” that could endanger children.

At the same meeting, council members approved the first phase of a $1.2 million Overland Avenue improvement project, adding bike lanes, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings along a 2.5‑mile stretch. While some community members praised the plan for offering alternatives to car travel, a local group, Save Overland, argued it would reduce parking and accessibility, saying “we support bicycle safety, but not at the expense of accessibility.”