A new Home Depot on Hampshire Road would bring increased noise, traffic and light pollution to nearby homes, a day care center and a senior living facility, according to about 50 residents who attended a meeting of the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission on Monday night.

But three planning commissioners voted in favor of the demolition of the former Kmart building to accommodate construction of a new, 97,000squarefoot home improvement store with an attached 14,000squarefoot outdoor garden center. Commissioner Barry Fischer voted against it.

Commissioner Al Adam recused himself to avoid the "perception of prejudgment toward the applicant," he said.

Opponents have 10 days to appeal the decision to the City Council.

Resident Howard Weisenfeld said he's not against development but added he couldn't find quality or beauty in this project that wasn't just for local residents.

He also pointed out Home Depot would be a magnet for day laborers. The city's loitering laws, Weisenfeld said, are never enforced.

"It will not only destroy the chance for a more beneficial project of some type for this location some time in the future but will cannibalize, in my opinion, many of the other community retailers in our local area," Weisenfeld said.

Mike Masters, a 22year resident, owns a small business that's one of many that will be hurt, he said, by a new Home Depot.

"Why do we need a Home Depot? We have a Home Depot within a six-mile area," Masters said.

"Where is the vision? What is the vision?" asked resident Tom Neary.

Not everyone opposed it.

"Please be realistic tonight and offer the Home Depot a fast track to completion. The city needs revenue, and the city needs jobs now," said Julian Macdonald, a 38-year resident.

The store would bring 150 new jobs and $400,000 a year in tax revenue to the city, he said.

Resident Clinton Vance asked if another entity would step forward and put the same amount of money into the city, "or is it going to sit for another five years? I'd like to see a Home Depot put in there."

Former Planning Commissioner Janet Wall pointed out it's "environmentally insensitive" to demolish Kmart, "a usable, pleasing and low-profile building."

"Thousand Oaks zoning says it should be a neighborhood, pedestrianfriendly shopping center—not a regional warehouse, industrial supply," Wall said.