The City Council on Tuesday night approved M-1 zoning for the 44-acre site of the former Harriet Tubman public housing project in East Chattanooga.
Conditions include a list of unwanted industrial users that would not be allowed and the requirement of a transportation study before closing with a jobs prospect.
Dumpsters would be at least 200 feet from a nearby home.
Council members said they would require an agreement for a Community Benefits Agreement with any purchaser of the site.
Dr. Everlena Holmes said there should have been community input. She asked a delay "to give citizens a voice in the planning."
She stated, "The distrust, apathy and cynicism of the community is unbelievable.
Eric Atkins of the Unity Group said M-2 would have given more flexibility on the use of the property. He asked, "Why limit ourselves?"
City officials said the rezoning was needed as one step in landing a prospect to provide jobs at the large site.