In response to the letter and recent opinions expressed in favor of another Costco in Thousand Oaks, people must understand that the Conejo Valley doesn't have to be "San Fernando Valley-lite." Having two Costcos and two Home Depots in a city this size is absurd.

We don't need or want another Costco store to land in Newbury Park. Likewise, putting a second Home Depot in Westlake Village is a travesty which will irreversibly destroy the character of that part of town.

Our City Council and community at large have a golden opportunity to do something special with that property, so it's disappointing to think that, instead, another big box store will be shoehorned in to that space.

People move to Thousand Oaks for its open spaces and scenic views, not to sit in gridlock traffic caused by the type of overdevelopment being foisted upon us in the name of "revenue preservation." As citizens of this desirable community, we must consider what's best in the long run for the whole community, not what's convenient for a few shopaholics or to make a quick buck for the city's coffers.

If a 10mile drive to the local superstore is too much to bear for some people, then maybe they should consider living closer to those stores in the first place. And if fuel costs are really a concern, then the responsible thing to do is plan shopping expeditions to include multiple stops in one car trip. The reduced number of vehicle trips will ease traffic and reduce pollution.

Yes, there will always be those few people- the "Build, Baby, Build!" crew- who don't feel "civilized" unless they're floundering in insufferable urban sprawl, but they surely don't speak for the majority of folks who live here. Kevin Redner Newbury Park