Palm Springs City Council Rejects Drive-Thru Moratorium Proposal

In a recent Palm Springs City Council meeting, a proposal to impose a temporary moratorium on new drive-thru businesses was rejected. The proposal, introduced by Council member Jeffrey Bernstein, aimed to create a pause on further drive-thru developments to allow for more thoughtful planning. Bernstein, expressing concern over the growing number of drive-thru businesses, stated that three new drive-thrus had already been approved in the past two years, with three more applications currently in process. He highlighted the importance of strategic growth, emphasizing that without proper planning, these businesses might shift to neighboring cities, potentially resulting in lost tax revenue for Palm Springs.

"I don't want to be anti-business or anti-development," Bernstein explained. "I just want to have thoughtful planning on how we grow drive-thrus." One of the applications currently under consideration is for a new In-N-Out drive-thru at Smoketree Village.

Despite rejecting the moratorium, the City Council agreed to commission a report on drive-thru guidelines and best practices to help inform future decisions. The report, expected in the next three to four months, will offer insight into how the city can balance business development with the needs of the community. The decision aims to ensure that Palm Springs can manage its growth thoughtfully and sustainably.