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Council narrows where drive-throughs can sit in proposed town-center overlay
Summary
Syracuse City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-15 amending the town-center overlay zone to restrict drive-throughs from siting between a building and the sidewalk except on corners and to require front-facing entrances or service windows, part of the city’s effort to create a walkable town center.
The Syracuse City Council approved Ordinance 2026-15 to amend the Town Center overlay zone with changes intended to preserve a pedestrian-friendly streetscape.
Under the amendment, drive-through restaurants are not allowed between a building and the sidewalk unless the building occupies a corner lot; new uses must orient a front entrance toward the street corner or provide a service window. Council members said the change is intended to protect walkability while allowing some flexibility for uses on corner lots.
A council member asked whether a drive-through would be allowed in certain vacant corner lots; staff confirmed the rule would allow a drive-through only in those corner situations and that the regulation is aimed at routing driveways away from sidewalks to protect pedestrians. The council adopted the ordinance by unanimous voice vote.
