Community meeting on Home Depot hears from
pro and con
By John Loesing
Acorn Staff Writer

Citizens for Responsible Growth (CFRG), a group fighting Home Depot in Agoura Hills, says it has three-fourths of the signatures needed to force a referendum next year that would curb "big box" retailers in the city.

The group needs 1,878 signatures for the zoning referendum. A spokesperson said they have 1,400.

The Agoura Hills city clerk’s office recommends an Oct. 8 deadline to place the referendum on the March 5 primary ballot. The opponents are fighting a proposed 140,000 square-foot Home Depot store that would be part of the Agoura Road redevelopment area. They expect to have enough signatures by Sept. 30.

Last week, the citizens’ group hosted a second town hall meeting at Agoura High School in an effort to muster like-minded forces. Traffic congestion and the negative impact of Home Depot on local businesses are the group’s two biggest concerns.

"There will be no widening of the Kanan Road bridge, no matter what anybody is telling you or is promising you, even though an estimated 20,000 additional car trips will go through," said Al Abrams, the group’s leader.

One citizen gave a new name to the crowded interchange: "Dysfunction Junction."

Unlike the July meeting which drew 250 people, last week’s rally was attended by fewer than 100. While the majority of attendees supported the petition drive, many of those who spoke publicly said the large retailer wouldn’t cause all of the problems that its opponents claim it would.

"I question all these gloom and doom figures," said resident Sandra Brazier. "I heard the same thing when Costco came in."

"What is this mythical traffic and where are these mythical people coming from?" said Thom Bancroft, an Old Agoura resident.

CFRG says under current law, the city council can grant a zoning variance to override the 60,000 square-foot limitation on retail stores coming into the city. The ballot initiative demands that large retailers such as Home Depot go through a vote of the people instead.

"I think we’re selling ourselves short with a Home Depot," said Colleen Holmes, a local environmentalist who favors smaller shops along Agoura Road. "I think this is where we need to put our thoughts into."

The citizens’ group said that while Home Depot is promising $700,000 a year in sales tax revenue, the city would have to pay $500,000 for an additional sheriff’s car and officer to patrol the redevelopment area. A spokesperson for Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station said the annual cost for a single car and deputy is under $200,000.

Representatives of CFRG asked for an appearance by all eight candidates in the upcoming Agoura Hills City Council election, including the three incumbents running for reelection. The only candidates to attend were challengers Ken Horton, Dan Crisafulli and Mel H. Adams. The incumbents were out of town conducting city business at a meeting that had been planned months ago, according to City Councilman Jeff Reinhardt, who questioned why the CFRG meeting was scheduled without inquiring about the feasibility of councilmembers attending.

"My problem with the current city council is that when it comes to issues like Home Depot they don’t provide you with the information you need," Horton said.

Horton agreed Home Depot would put smaller stores out of business, but said he didn’t want to take sides on the issue until he did further research.

Funding the petition drive are several Agoura Road and Roadside Drive businesses that feel most threatened by Home Depot.

"I don’t see why we have to have another redundant business," said Joe Windsor, vice president of Roadside Lumber. "Why destroy the businesses that built this town?"

"I try to shop [at local stores] but I can’t," said Nick Foster, a resident of 36 years.

"The quality and prices don’t compare to Home Depot."