The project went to the council on an appeal from developer Tom Davies after the Planning Board rejected the project in a 4-1 vote.
Board members expressed concerns that the store was incompatible for the largely equestrian area and would bring increased traffic congestion to the neighborhood.
After the Planning Board's decision, developers met with residents in the Rancho community and incorporated several changes to the plan, including a revised traffic study, which opponents dismissed as largely inconsequential.
"The revised traffic study has corrected some of the errors that came up in the first traffic study … but the fundamental issues still remain unaddressed," said Emily Gabel-Ludd, a Planning Board member and professional planner.
But project proponents have maintained that opposition to the project is based on faulty information.
"What I found is the negativity expressed by some is in by no means universal," Davies said. "Much of the opposition to the project is based on misinformation distributed by others."
Both project opponents and Whole Foods supporters were out in full force Tuesday night, casting the market as either a threat to their neighborhoods or a valuable addition to the community.
"I've seen many changes, but the area continues to be safe, quiet and pedestrian and horse-friendly," said resident Sylvia Sutton, who lives a block and a half from the project site. "I do not want to see that change. My greatest concern is safety and congestion."
But project proponents argued that the store would benefit the Rancho District, even providing a community center where residents can congregate.
Resident Gail Just lauded putting a "beautiful, well-designed, gorgeously landscaped" facility on a hitherto "dull commercial property."
