City proposes ordinance to stop drive‑through queues from blocking public roadways

Mr. Hunt presented a draft motor vehicle queuing ordinance that would make it a violation when vehicle stacks from a private business extend into the public roadway and impede travel lanes, intersections or emergency access. He said the measure is operational in focus and intended to apply broadly to commercial, industrial and other non‑residential uses with high turnover, such as quick‑service restaurants, coffee chains and truck stops.

"I do want to be clear that this is not about any one specific business," Mr. Hunt said, emphasizing the ordinance targets operational behaviors not particular establishments. The draft includes an emergency operational authority that allows police, code enforcement or fire personnel to take immediate on‑site corrective action — such as temporarily blocking curb cuts — when vehicle queues create a serious life‑safety issue.

Mr. Hunt described an escalating penalty structure modeled on the city's chronic nuisance ordinance and said staff preference is to resolve one‑off incidents through cooperation rather than fines. Council members asked about flexibility for small businesses and staff said enforcement will focus on repeated, chronic violations and that code staff will work with operators to find solutions (staff suggested traffic control devices, changes to staffing or circulation improvements as remedies).

No final action was taken; council members generally expressed support and asked staff to return with a refined draft and operational examples.