The Annapolis Planning Commission approved legislation banning new drive-thru windows in Annapolis.

At a public virtual meeting July 18, the commission voted 3-1 in favor of the legislation. Thomas Sfakiyanudis, vice chair of the commission, was the only no vote, saying drive-thrus in general shouldn’t be banned, especially when part of a bank or pharmacy. Any legislation that seeks to change city zoning code must be reviewed by the Planning Commission, which offers an advisory recommendation to the City Council.

Alex Pline, a commissioner on the board, recused himself after posting his support of the legislation on social media.

“I see pharmacies serving the community on some level,” Sfakiyanudis said at the meeting.

Sponsored by Alderman Rob Savidge, a Democrat representing Ward 7, the bill would ban new drive-thru windows that let people stay in their car while getting products or services. In addition to banks and pharmacies, fast-food restaurants would be affected.

The commission did recommend banks and pharmacies be given an exemption, however; recommendations are only advisory. The council would need to propose an amendment in order to make this change.

Robert Waldman, chair of the Planning Commission, said the legislation is looking at the “few places where we would like to see a more compact environment.”“The new developments in this city will be mixed-use … and … we want to see those be efficient and compact and to not have extraneous parking, extraneous asphalt in general,” he said.

Savidge put the legislation together following a trip to the Netherlands in November to study resilience infrastructure, flood defenses and alternative methods of transportation.

The bill is aimed at making the city more walkable and drive-thrus “wreck” that, Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier, a Democrat from Ward 5, said in April. Scandelmeier, along with Mayor Gavin Buckley, is a co-sponsor of the legislation.

The legislation tries to address the Annapolis Ahead 2040 comprehensive plan’s goal of more mixed-used development that is “pedestrian-focused.” Drive-thrus do not “mesh” with that goal, Savidge said in April.

“I feel like this is our chance to move forward [with the comprehensive plan],” said Diane Butler, a member of the Planning Commission.

The next step is for a public hearing to take place before the Annapolis City Council. The council will return from their annual recess Sept. 9.