SLIPPERY ROCK — Borough officials are considering setting up density controls for businesses in commercial-zoned areas in an effort to define the borough’s identity in the future.

The topic was introduced to council for the first time at a meeting Sept. 2 by Mayor Jondavid Longo. He brought the idea of setting up density controls specifically for “adult-oriented” businesses, such as smoke shops and tattoo parlors.

“Basically, we can say that if there are preexisting smoke shops, that no other smoke shop can open within 1,000 or 2,500 feet or whatever we want. We get to choose what those controls are, and we can change them when we want to,” borough manager Christian Laskey explained to council.

At first, some members of council raised concerns about the legality of setting these for certain businesses and not others. It was clarified by Laskey that similar zoning density ordinances are common, especially in larger cities.

Council president Jeff Campbell, however, expressed concern about whether setting density controls could hurt the economic future of the borough.

“I just don’t want to see a lot sit vacant for months on end because the only people that want it are the smoke shops,” he said.

Longo and Councilwoman Alexandra Franco-Tuten said density controls would be established only for businesses that they believe negatively impact the future of the community far more than vacant lots.

“Recently, we’ve been talking a lot about the branding we want for the borough and making decisions to support that. We need to ask ourselves whether that branding allows for more and more of these types of establishments to open,” Tuten said.

Campbell said he understands both sides of the argument, but still expressed concern about blocking specific types of businesses.

“I’m a free-market guy,” Campbell said. “I don’t have any tattoos and I don’t smoke, but I’m not going to stop people from doing that if that’s what they want to do.”

Council plans to continue discussion at its Sept. 16 meeting, giving Laskey the opportunity to create a mock-up example of what the borough’s future ordinance may be. Campbell also asked Laskey for examples of other municipalities’ ordinances and to reach out to see if it has worked for them.

Council members on both sides were clear that regardless of how things play out, current businesses are welcome and will be supported as long as they operate in the borough, as well as grandfathered past any restrictions that may be established.