9029 EL CAPITAN WAY 2016-01-01 MF Import

Febru�ry 25, 1971 J � Mr. Hob GraPf Chairman of the Uoard ❑f (�dj�stmei��t c/o Planning Director - Frank Ilennett Everett City Hell Everett� 4lashington 98Z01 6enilemen: One af the stated objectives of PTA is to promo:�e the weli'❑re ❑f children ;�nci youth in home� school and community. L^Je� the undersigned members of the executive board of the Jefferaon Ele•nentary PTA� are oppased to the proposed teen center in the Eastnont Shopping Centei because we feel strongly that it wuuld 6e in direct oppositian to this si�ted o6jective which we are swoin to uphold. We give the following reasons: �� The proposed teen center location at the Eastmont Shapping Center is within :iLlO feet of the Jefferson School. Elementary-age children are natural.ly v�ry curious and we feel that this curiousity would lead them to the Shopping Center. Since the teen population of Eastmont. is not of sufficient Fize to support such a center� it is logical to zssume that the center would have to draw youth from ❑utside the are �. This means� of course� many cars anc the pc_e.ibility of a curious child being hit by an auto entering or exiting the parking area. The bookmobile uses the parking lot of the ShoPpirc Cen.er as a H�eekly route stop during the hours propased for the teen center. The city transit service aleo hcs a bus :-top in the parking lot which many chi.ldren use. The Ro'_lerfair Eus picks up and drops off children here also as a weekly service for the children of Eastmont to reach the skating rink. A sudden and pranounced inrreaoe of traffic caused by the proposed center would constitute a serious hazard 1'❑r these children. It is a fairly accurate assumption that another type of traffir. prohlem would also arise in this area. Drug Traffic. Law enforcement agencies throughout the nation are admitting their difficulties in curtailing this pro6lem. An open-door teen renter wculd be an attraction ta individuals dealing in the sale of harmful and iliegal drugs and to provide such aii outlet within walking distance of :.hildren of all ages would 6e a very serious mistake. The proprietors of the prnposed teen center have indicated no p]�ns aihicF o-iili provide a wholesame atmosphere for the teens using the facility. They admit Lo having no prior experience in working for or with teenagers. The Jeffersan PTA sponsors the Eastmont Recreation Program which involves many people ..,�� this area in a program to provide teenagers the opportunit,y of participating in _..:;,crvised activi.iie� in the �chool gym and the Eastcrest Hills Community Club i?n.;lding. To duplicate these services would surely doom ❑ne� or perhaps 6oth� to , :�� ilure, lJe feel that because the teens and parents alike are supparting this . ��.;a�lished program, there :_s no need for another program in Eastmont - pa�`�icularly m��: ovcr which we have n❑ jurisdiction. ' ; i i � �. '1 , �, _i_ ��