While there’s freedom that comes with the lack of zoning within many Butler County municipalities, there’s something positive to be said about zoning: It offers control to communities.

Leaders of Butler County communities should make decisions on this matter that reflect their residents’ desires, but it’s worth considering how zoning allows community members to have a say in what their community looks like in the future.

Otherwise, anything can and will go. While many may like that freedom, they may not appreciate their neighbor’s plans when they add inconvenience, traffic or worse — as in the case reported in the Wednesday, Sept. 10, Butler Eagle, where a Slippery Rock Township woman said she saw her house, located near a short-term rental, broken into by someone.

This month, we see zoning working to the advantage of Slippery Rock Township with changes that will regulate short-term rentals, cemeteries and electric vehicle charging stations, and the Borough of Slippery Rock, where density controls for businesses in commercial-zoned areas are being weighed.

In the township’s case, the changes to the zoning ordinance will require that new short-term rental properties ensure occupants or guests to not engage in disorderly conduct or “disturb the peace and quiet” of any neighbors via loud noise, offensive conduct, public indecency or other actions detailed within the ordinance.

Further, there will be annual inspections and zoning permits required for such properties.

The changes set out the township’s expectations and allow the municipality’s leaders to shape what it sees for the future of its neighborhoods.

At Slippery Rock borough, the conversation at a Sept. 2 meeting considered the notion of setting up density controls specifically for “adult-oriented” businesses, such as smoke shops and tattoo parlors.

While the borough’s Council President Jeff Campbell was concerned if density controls could hurt borough’s economic future, Mayor Jondavid 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 more than vacant lots.

Whichever way the leaders lean, they have the ability to control the borough’s destiny.

So while every community should consider the feelings of its own residents, we’ve seen again and again that zoning can solve problems and provide a clear direction for a community.

As the county grows in size and outsiders eye making a home in Butler County, zoning is a worthwhile consideration.

— TL