Belleville councillor wants red light on drive-thrus

BELLEVILLE, Ont. Cars pile into a local drive-thru in the rain, this past Tuesday. Councilor Pat Culhane would like Belleville to evaluate drive-thru businesses. If approved future drive-thrus could be banned in Belleville. Photo by Alexa Hansen Forson.

By Alexa Hansen Forson

Belleville may be getting healthier and greener if at least if one city councilor has her way. Councilor Pat Culhane is proposing that Belleville evaluates some of the risks with drive-thru restaurants.

“I’m going to ask at the next council meeting for a staff report on what other cities are doing with their drive-thrus, whether anyone else has made an attempt to limit or regulate them. If not then I would like it if Belleville could take the lead. “

Council meets next on September 24, 4pm.

A nurse for the last 45 years, Culhane is also on the public health board. The board has brought information from the Ontario Medical Association about rising problems in the province. Culhane said one of those problems is childhood obesity.

“The medical association feels we have an epidemic of childhood obesity. You used to get fast food as a treat, now it’s a way of life for a lot of people and their children.”

Culhane doesn’t want her proposal to limit or take away what exists already in Belleville.

Local restaurant owners declined to comment on Culhane’s proposal.

“Drive-thrus don’t need to be in residential areas. Sometimes they’re a 24/7 operation with non-stop idling and exhaust fumes.”

Car idling produces dangerous emissions. Culhane said these could be harming employees working in drive-thru windows and she’s not aware of anything being done to protect these employees.

If Culhane’s idea isn’t supported at the next council meeting she doesn’t think there will be much of a problem. In the past Culhane has brought three health related issues to council and they have all been sent to the province. Since then, the province has regulated the use of tanning beds to people under 18. She also asked for fast food restaurants to put the fat, calorie and salt content on every item.

Culhane said even if Belleville can regulate fast food drive-thrus, it won’t stop future businesses.

“I’m sure life will go on. Even if we have the means to regulate, that won’t stop people building. I don’t mean to deny anyone access, people do what they want. I just would like to make a few better choices available.”