By Nancy Needham  nancy@theacorn.com

Owners of small businesses are wary of Home Depot going into the former Kmart site on Hampshire Road.

Included in the Home Depot draft environmental impact report (DEIR) is an economic impact report that's under fire by critics who wrote their concerns so the city can address them.

"As a small business owner on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, I feel a Home Depot would negatively impact my business and several others in Thousand Oaks, a city that prides itself in small retail business and the luxury of shopping locally in a small-town atmosphere without a big box store," wrote Mike Masters, owner of Arrow Glass of Thousand Oaks, 2510 T.O. Blvd.

Thousand Oaks resident John Stevenson believes smaller home improvement stores--mostly located on Thousand Oaks Boulevard--can't compete with Home Depot. He contended in his public response that the DEIR used an out-of-date report that didn't include all of the businesses that could be hurt if Home Depot opened at the former Kmart site.

According to public response records, about 17 stores weren't listed in the economic impact report, and those retailers are within three miles of the proposed site on Hampshire Road.

The city continues to wait for a specific plan to be created by owners of businesses on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. That plan is expected to ask for mixed-use zoning with multiple-story apartments above retail outlets.

The report provided by a consultant in January 2007 concluded that opening a Home Depot won't contribute to urban decay. Among businesses listed in the consultant's analysis was Thousand Oaks Glass, which closed in December 2005, wrote James Aidukas, a consultant for Do-it Center.

"We reviewed the report and put it in the (draft) EIR. It's basically by a Home Depot consultant. It is pertinent and accurate information," said Thousand Oaks Community Development Director John Prescott.

An economic impact report isn't ordinarily a part of an EIR, but the City Council wanted it included, Prescott said.

The city is preparing responses to the letters that have been written in response to the DEIR. When completed, the EIR will be published and the project will be taken before the planning commission. A planning commission hearing hasn't yet been scheduled, Prescott said.

"Businesses affected by the additional Home Depot are the same businesses that currently support the community through business-sponsored youth sports teams, extracurricular school activities--band and drama--and other philanthropic needs," Masters said.

Stores within three miles of the proposed Home Depot site that could be economically impacted include Calico Corners Window Treatment, 3825 A. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Reliable Floor Covering, 3184 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Tri Valley Supply House, 2974 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Portella Entries and Doors, 2873 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Pyramid Carpet and Flooring, 2831 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Décor Paints, 2810 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Carpet Galleria, 2715 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Kitchens, 2630 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Warner Carpet and Hardwood, 2501 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Innerspace Interiors Flooring, 2528 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Paragon Pool and Supply, 2448 Thousand Oaks Blvd., J&L Draperies, 1817 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Daniels Draperies, 1811 Thousand Oaks Blvd., M&W Tile and Granite, 1785 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Leslie's Pool Supplies, 1760 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Lighting and Bulbs, 45 Rancho Road, Thousand Oaks Fans and Lighting, 1125 Thousand Oaks Blvd., One Stop Lighting, 760 Thousand Oaks Blvd. and More Than Floors, 1169 Thousand Oaks Blvd.