The Orange County Board of Commissioners delayed a decision that would modify building restrictions in the Hillsborough Economic Development District.

The most controversial topic discussed at a meeting on September 12 was what to do about drive thrus in the county.

“My family loves to eat at Biscuitville,” said commissioner Mark Dorosin. “And we drive to Durham every time because you can’t have a drive thru in Orange County. My economic dollars are going to another county.”

Under current regulation, a business wishing to open a drive-thru window must get special permission from the county.

The modifications to the Hillsborough Economic Development District do not include a change to this rule.

Commissioner Barry Jacobs said he was in favor of keeping the process the way it is now.

“Nearly a third of Americans are obese,” he said. “And nearly half, me included, are overweight. Every time you make it easier to stay in your car, you’re not helping.”

Jacobs’ emphasis was to prevent new fast food restaurants from building in Orange County, but he said other types of drive thrus could be acceptable.

“There are people who need to stay in their car,” he said. “They’re not capable of getting out or they’re only capable of getting in and out once a day. Those kinds of facilities, like a pharmacy, it’s reasonable. A fast food restaurant, it may not be.”

Board chairman Earl McKee said this wasn’t the first time the issue of drive thrus has come up during his time on the board.

“They are a fact of life,” McKee said. “They will continue to be a fact of life whether we allow them or not. I’m going to fall on that the same place I did before. I’d like to remove the restriction.”

The commissioners said they wanted to take more time to review each of the new changes to the Hillsborough Economic Development District.

They will next discuss the issue November 1.

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