Drive-through Zoning Study: Sustain Saint Paul written testimony

On June 7th, the Saint Paul Planning Commission held a public hearing about a city study on drive-throughs, considering how the city might adjust the relevant regulations and zoning codes. Sustain Saint Paul agrees with city staff that drive-throughs have many negative impacts on the environment and a pedestrian-friendly city, and thus supports a ban on all new drive-throughs. Below is the letter we submitted to the planning commission as public comment.

06/5/2024

Public Hearing Testimony to the Saint Paul Planning Commission

RE: Drive-Through Zoning Study and proposed amendments

Chair Grill and Members of the Planning Commission,

Sustain Saint Paul is a volunteer-led, grass-roots organization that champions abundant housing, low-carbon transportation, and sustainable land use in the City of Saint Paul. We submit this public testimony on behalf of the Board, members and advocates that make up our organization.

Drive-throughs hold an unusual place in our cities. Born from widespread expansion of car dependency and urban sprawl in America, drive-throughs not only uphold the current status quo of high automobile use (and the resulting air pollution), but also prevent valuable urban land from reaching its full potential. As per St. Paul’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, it is the stated goal of the city to promote the sustainability, health, safety and prosperity of this community, and Sustain St. Paul shares this aim. Drive-throughs however, as they exist currently, run counter to these objectives.

As presented by the planning commission, drive-throughs at their most active can obstruct traffic, encourage vehicle idling, and can be a general nuisance in accessibility and appearance — even when inactive. Apart from the pollutants idling can create, their presence encourages more vehicle miles traveled and less sustainable methods like walking or biking.

Sustain St. Paul encourages the current move by the city to examine the role (if any) that drive-throughs have in St. Paul. Limiting the offsite queues, ensuring pedestrian access, restricting the businesses which are allowed their use, and eliminating their use near transit nodes and in other dense commercial zones are welcome starting proposals. 

Ultimately, Sustain St. Paul would like to suggest the city consider fully banning drive throughs in their upcoming zoning study. We believe that this idea deserves full consideration and inquiry from the city (and note that Minneapolis banned the construction of new drive-throughs in 2019). 

Sincerely, 

Sustain Saint Paul

Board of directors:

Melissa Wenzel, co-chair

Luke Hanson, co-chair

Galen Benshoof, treasurer

Cody Fischer

Michel Molstead

Zack Farrell

Paul Fiesel

Chris Smith

Karen Allen

Faith Krogstad