Walgreens Could Come to Petaluma–But Without a Drive-Through

Petaluma officials said Monday night they supported the idea of a Walgreens in town, as long as it doesn't have a drive-through pharmacy pick-up window.

The Petaluma City Council voted 5-1, with Council Member Teresa Barrett opposed, to send the proposed Walgreens at Lynch Creek Way and McDowell Boulevard back to the planning commission, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Walgreens and property owner Petaluma Health Care District are asking for the land to be rezoned to allow Walgreens to move in; the Petaluma Planning Commission previously said no to that request and the developers appealed to the city council.

Supporters of the project say a 24-hour pharmacy would be a welcome addition to Petaluma, and a drive-through window would allow sick, elderly or disabled customers to pick up their medication without having to go inside the store. But drive-through windows are banned by city law, in an attempt to limit greenhouse gas emissions from idling cars.

The city council called the idea of a drive-through "dead on arrival," according to the Press Democrat.

Walgreens officials say about 100 Petaluma residents shop at Walgreens stores in Cotati, San Rafael and Santa Rosa each day, spending $1 million each year.

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