A business group claims St. John's city council is sending the wrong message with a moratorium on drive-thru restaurants, sparked by long lineups that tie up traffic near several Tim Hortons outlets.

Council decided Monday night to put a hold on new applications for drive-thrus, until the city is satisfied a planned development will not interfere with local traffic.

Councillors pointed to safety and other hazards around several Tim Hortons drive-thrus, where cars waiting to enter the lot have stalled traffic.

Bradley George, director with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in Newfoundland and Labrador, said council is missing the point.

"Clearly the City of St. John's is putting the blame for traffic congestion back on the shoulders of successful business owners," George said.

"Much of this needs to fall on customers and drivers, and clearly the City of St. John's is saying this is business owners' fault."

George said council is over-reacting to a problem that can be solved through other means.

"They've met with franchisees who've actually been working to better the situation, but instead of giving them the time to complete renovations, to finish talks, the city has come out and said, 'No, let's put a moratorium down,'" he said.

"And this sends the message to future entrepreneurs that nope, the city is closed."

George said times are already tough for businesses, and that owners do not need new obstacles from the city.