SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — The township supervisors heard some public comments and had discussion Tuesday night on two proposed ordinances designed to control unruly parties.

A proposed zoning ordinance amendment would require apartment complexes and businesses to obtain a permit to have a sound system for outdoor entertainment. The ordinance would also limit hours of operation to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Owners also would be limited to one permit per month and six per calendar year.

A proposed “nuisance gathering” ordinance would allow the township to cite and fine any property owner who holds a gathering of 10 or more people where law enforcement writes at least two citations for offenses such as public disturbance, excessive noise or illegal sale or consumption of alcohol.

Michael Farah, a Slippery Rock University student who lives in Pine Glen apartments, raised concerns about the noise ordinance.

Enforcement of the ordinance would be subjective because it does not define what qualifies as an event and it does not specify an unacceptable noise level, he said.

“My understanding is, currently, if a student decides they want to sit outside and listen to the radio and sunbathe during the warmer months, they would actually have to apply for a permit to do this,” Farah said.

Solicitor Wil White said that a decibel level would be difficult to enforce and the definition of “event” was left vague because the ordinance is meant to address any type of potentially disruptive noise, not just music from a party.

“Two people being noisy is worse than 10 people being quiet,” he said.

Supervisor Paul Dickey said that the ordinances are intended to address large parties, not to create problems for residents.

“It is not our intent to harass someone listening to a radio,” he said.

Resident Tim Brown spoke in favor of the sound system ordinance. Brown said he lives on Applewood Lane and has often been able to hear loud music from events at businesses on nearby Route 173.

“I don’t think that’s an unreasonable expectation for a resident of the township. At some point turn the volume down and at another time period shut the music off,” he said.

Farah spoke again about the nuisance gathering ordinance saying that if police are called to a family get-together or small party of at least 10 people, the homeowner could face a fee.

Also, the citation would still be valid even if the charges brought by police are later dropped or if the attendees of the gathering are found not guilty, he said.

Since the township has a code enforcement officer, but no police, it will rely on state police to report qualifying events.

White said that he expects state police only to notify the township of violations of the ordinance in the case of big parties, not of smaller, less severe incidents.

“If you want to have a party, knock yourselves out, but use common sense, be decent, be responsible,” he said.

Based on information provided by state police, there have been at least five parties held at apartment complexes this year that would qualify for citations under the nuisance gathering ordinance, White said.

Most recently, a party at University Village apartments on Sept. 3 and a party at The Heights at Slippery Rock apartments during Homecoming weekend both would have qualified, he said.

One of the goals of the ordinances is to encourage property managers to hire more security or be stricter with tenants to avoid incurring multiple fines every year, he said.

The board will consider the ordinances for adoption at its meeting at 3 p.m. Monday.