New parks could be developed adjacent to the property if the project is approved, he added. The city could obtain about 21 acres of park space as part of the development, he said. With existing property in the vicinity, that would give Sandy close to 43 acres of park-like space, he said.

Meanwhile, the Redevelopment Agency could provide up to $15 million to help existing businesses.

Speaking of stores at 9400 South, he said, "When we lost our Fred Meyers, we lost our anchor store." With the addition of the Wal-Mart and Lowe's, new anchors would be built in the area, he said.

"I believe that we can revitalize that area with the proposed development," Anderson said.

Fairbanks said this is not an issue of Wal-Mart versus a park. He said property owners should be allowed to develop as they wish, as long as they don't violate the city's master plan.

After the lopsided vote, one man yelled, "Thanks for wastin' our time!"

But Rich Kuchinsky, a Sandy resident and former Utah Transit Authority board member, commented, "The Boyer Co. has a great reputation. All you have to do is look at Gateway" and another project soon to be built at Kimball Junction, Summit County.

The new development will be in the middle of Sandy, he said.

"This project will revitalize and attract and draw shoppers to the other businesses that are nearby," Kuchinsky added.

Gary Forbush, a Sandy resident, said, "We're just disappointed. We felt the citizen comments to the individual council members would make them vote differently."

He lives within 1.3 miles of one Wal-Mart, he added.

"Why do we need one less than 1.5 miles to the south?" he said.

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com