Slippery Rock borough requests deeper dive into zoning density controls
SLIPPERY ROCK — Even after some weeks of thinking, borough officials are still uncertain about the idea of setting up zoning density controls for businesses in its commercial areas.
The topic was discussed for the second time Tuesday, Sept. 16, at a borough council meeting.
Since last meeting, borough manager Christian Laskey was able to find a few examples, but noted that density controls are usually laid out throughout a chapter, not in any specific ordinance.
The controls, which were discussed at a meeting on Sept. 2, would look to limit how many “adult-oriented” businesses, such as smoke shops and tattoo parlors, are able to set up within a certain distance from one another. Businesses currently in the borough would be grandfathered in, Laskey said.
Laskey said Tuesday council would also be able to choose whether the zoning affects the borough’s C-1 or “Central Business District” area, C-2 or “General Commercial District” areas or just the Main Street Corridor Overlay District. The district is a combination of C-1 and C-2 properties that make up the businesses on Main Street.
Councilwoman Alexandra Franco-Tuten, who was an advocate for the controls at the last meeting, once again advocated for them. She said where she grew up, similar controls were already in place and it worked well there.
“I think we can really have an impact on what type of Main Street community we want. I want it, as you can see, to be family-friendly,” Tuten said.
However, some council members argued the impact to the borough’s economy would far outweigh any benefit.
“You don’t want to limit anybody’s possible future business, especially if it’s aboveboard and doing well,” Councilman Paul Lueken said.
Solicitor Rebecca Black, however, suggested council get the borough’s planning commission to do further research and have it send a recommendation to council.
She also explained that she’s previously heard of other municipalities setting up controls only for businesses to find loopholes to work around it.
“If you limit or restrict one activity, then somebody will find a way around that. The way around that is going to be people opening a cafe that also sells vapes,” Black explained.
Black said the longer she considers how the borough would go about enforcing the ordinance, the more worried she gets.
Ultimately, members from both sides of the discussion found it amicable to see what the planning commission is able to find. The commission next meets on Oct. 9.
The next Slippery Rock Borough Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7.
