The County Commission on Wednesday voted 5-4 to allow a Walmart Neighborhood Center at Middle Valley Road and Thrasher Pike.
Voting in favor were Jim Fields, Chester Bankston, Greg Beck, Warren Mackey and Joe Graham.
Opposed were Marty Haynes, Sabrena Smedley, Tim Boyd and Randy Fairbanks.
Commissioner Haynes, the District 3 representative where the project is located, said he was opposed because of its effect on those who live closest to the project.
He said he would have felt more comfortable about the project if the planned new school across the street was in place with its infrastructure, though he said he believes it will actually alleviate the traffic problem.
Commissioner Graham made the motion to approve, saying it was "a tough decision for everybody, but that's a good problem to have growing pains instead of the opposite."
Commissioner Mackey seconded, citing the benefits of jobs and new taxes.
One opponent cited Walmart founder Sam Walton as saying the chain would not go into neighborhoods "where it would create a fuss."
Another said the project would accelerate the need to make Middle Valley Road five lanes at a high cost.
Paul Ware said the quiet neighborhood would be severely impacted by the store. He also said it would increase the traffic flow dramatically. He said, "There are all kinds of other places this could be placed."
Kristie Jackson said there are more people in favor of the store than against.
She said, "Middle Valley Road is looking really rundown and raggedy." and needed the development
Matt Phillips of the Hutton Group said a Nashville polling firm quizzed District 3 voters and found, among those randomly selected and who live close to the site, that 66 percent were in favor. One woman said she received a robo call about a" convenience store" on Hixson Pike.
He said there are 300 signatures on a petition in favor of the project.
He said Walmart had agreed to close the fuel center and pharmacy at 10 p.m. each day, though the grocery will operate 24/7.