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Teen center could dance way onto ballot
(by Mike Klimko - November 19, 2008)
Teen center could dance way onto ballot
By MIKE KLIMKO
The owners of the T.S. Macklin Event Centre in Solon are planning to make a case next week to the city's planning commission to expand the permitted uses under commercial zoning for a teen center.
Sharon and Terry Macklin are planning to place an issue before voters in May in order to operate regular events for teens in their building near Enterprise Parkway.
The commercial zone in which the event center is located in Ward 6 does not permit the operation of a teen center. A business of that nature would require approval at the ballot.
The request for the additional use in the commercial district previously was submitted to Vice Mayor and Councilwoman Susan A. Drucker and the planning department.
An expansion of the uses permitted under the zoning of the area would not be recommended by the police department, Police Chief Wayne E. Godzich told City Council. "This would permit anyone to open a teen center in the Enterprise Parkway area. Teen centers are difficult to manage, both inside and outside," he said.
"They have the potential for violence and unruliness. In addition, the Enterprise Parkway area has places of seclusion and is strategically located for people with intent to break the law," Mr. Godzich said.
Two business operators in the area of Enterprise Parkway who were alerted to the request by city officials were divided on the plan.
The teen center would help sales, said Scott Van Riper, general manager of the KFC and Taco Bell restaurant.
Bringing more young people into the area could lead to problems, said JoAnn Maleric, branch manager of First Place Bank.
"I do know when talking to others in cities where there are such facilities that it does sometimes cause large congregations of teenagers somewhat unsupervised when they are not in the facility but outside or in the surrounding vicinity that could cause problems," Ms. Maleric said.
"Don't get me wrong. I am always in favor of teen events that are supervised, but maybe a facility that is not next to a movie theater, where it would attract teens that are not from the Solon community, would be a better choice for location of a teen center. After-school dances or events for this age group might be a better recommendation," she said.
A teen center would provide a supervised venue, as well as draw more business to the area, the Macklins said in an Oct. 22 letter to the police department, the commission and council.
Teens attended regular dances for about 2 1/2 years at the previous site on the border of Solon at Brainard and Miles roads, they said. Teens knew Solon auxiliary police were present, they said.
"We do understand your concerns for providing adequate coverage for the entire city," the Macklins said, "and what root causes of unruliness and ugliness is in our younger generation. But as they say, one bad apple can ruin something nice for the good kids out there," they said.
"Our plan is to work closely with the city's police and all of the Solon community so that we won't let the bad element ruin things for our good kids. It does take a strong adult community and leadership to nurture our young these days," the Macklins said.
"We work together to contract outside security personnel to work with us when necessary. We have had several other young adult events both sponsored and open to the public since we have been at this industrial location. They have all gone without incidents."
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