On some occasions, ordinances come about because rules you’d expect people to follow of their own volition aren’t being observed.

On others, ordinances might not adequately take into account the needs of those they affect. As is often the case, the devil is in the details.

Two stories regarding ordinances ran in the Eagle recently. Neither were well-received by residents who attended hearings on them.

One focused on a Franklin Township ordinance that included rules on everything, from storing a junk vehicle on private property or leaving mechanical equipment in public view to noise regulations. Regarding the latter, some residents said this could hinder such outdoor activities as using tools or shooting guns.

The other story centered on a Saxonburg proposal to require organizers to get approval from borough council, the police department and fire and ambulance company to hold events.

In the case of the Franklin Township ordinance, the rules address behavior that is expected from residents. While the township should work with residents to ensure the ordinance is not overreaching, residents should also consider whether certain activities — such as turning their properties into eyesores by storing trash or leaving broken-down vehicles on their lawns, or engaging in ear-rattling activities — might disturb their neighbors.

On the matter of the Saxonburg ordinance, it’s easy to sympathize with organizations or businesses that are wary of rules that add layers of bureaucracy to host an event.

After more than a year of the coronavirus, businesses are already struggling, and the last thing anyone wants to do is make it harder for them to catch up financially.

At the same time, rules on holding events exist for a reason. Most people know that a local event is coming up because the organizers went through a process to ensure that it will follow various rules.

During a Saxonburg borough council meeting, business owners said the ordinance could lead to organizers spending more money and time to get through the approval process.

But borough council noted the ordinance is based on what other municipalities are doing. While some business owners said they believe the ordinance is too restrictive, council members said they believe a “slight rewrite” — not a complete overhaul — of it could do the trick.

We understand that events being held must promote safety, follow rules and not burden residents. We hope the borough will work with organizers to ensure the final draft of the ordinance enforces the rules, but doesn’t encumber event planners.

In the cases of both ordinances, it’s hard to argue with the reasoning behind them. We just hope the ordinances enforce the rules while also taking the needs of residents and businesses into consideration.

— NCD