Chick-fil-A Drive-Through Posing Problems

Two weeks after its grand opening on outer State Street, Chick-fil-A is still experiencing such intense interest that it’s causing drive-through customers to back up on State Street and trigger complaints from neighborhood residents. Santa Barbara police were initially wary that such concerns might be politically motivated — Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay corporate philanthropy generated considerable media attention and political opposition — but upon investigation concluded the problems were real. As a result, City Hall will be posting three new signs along State Street warning motorized customers not to block the right-hand lane. Drive-ins are against city ordinance and can no longer be approved, but Chik-fil-A took over one of the last approved drive-ins in the city from the now-defunct Burger King.