Common sense should prevail on Home Depot plan

Living in Thousand Oaks close to the former Kmart for 18 years, I've watched this location slowly deteriorate with the vacancy of small stores to the anchor tenant.

The city has lost revenue from sales taxes, the county from real estate taxes, and the citizens have an eyesore.

The owners of this property put their money at risk to develop the site so they can earn a return on their investment. Because we live in a society with capitalism and free enterprise, the owner would expect to build on this property subject to local zoning and no other hurdles.

Others who think an arcade, bowling alley or skating rink, etc.(are options) should put their own money at risk before telling others what to build on this site. As to an environmental impact report (EIR), it's ridiculous considering what was located on this site before. This same mentality is going on in Sunland-Tujunga where the city dismissed the need for an EIR for a Home Depot (taking the place of a former Kmart) while some preferred a Target store.

The city of Thousand Oaks can let the developer Home Depot move forward or earn the reputation that Thousand Oaks isn't a good place to do business.

In the final analysis, the homeowners can look at the vacant property and pay higher taxes because commercial land sits (vacant) to satisfy their personal interest.

Let's allow common sense to rule.
Conrad Kantor
Westlake Village