Drive-thru ban in HRM? One councillor wants the idea studied
One councillor plans to make a pitch to ban drive-thrus in Halifax Regional Municipality.
When the Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee meets Thursday, Timberlea-Beechville-Clayton Park-Wedgewood councillor Richard Zurawski will ask for a staff report to study the feasibility of eliminating them.
According to Zurawski — who was a federal Green Party candidate in the 2015 election and currently acts as the party's climate change critic — drive-thrus create pollution and traffic issues.
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Member of the committee, Councillor Shawn Cleary said he'd be happy to support a staff report on the issue but added there are already established land use bylaws that ban drive-thrus in certain areas.
“The reality is, many of our new vehicles actually shut down their engines while you're parked. They no longer idle, then start up again when you step on the accelerator,” he told NEWS 95.7's The Rick Howe Show.
He added those with accessibility issues or young children might have problems with a blanket ban.
Zurawski is also scheduled to ask for a staff report requesting either a surcharge on disposable food and drink containers or a discount for customers who bring their own.
