FARMINGTON – Residents voted Monday night to change zoning for a 250-foot strip of land along Wilson Stream near Knowlton Corner Road. The vote paves the way for a proposed shopping center on Wilton Road near Wal-Mart.

About 60 residents debated the issue for about an hour before voting. Of the attendees, less than one-third voted against it. The zoning change required at least a two-thirds majority.

Thomas and Janice Daku have been trying to sell the 70-acre strip for more than 10 years. The dairy farmers own 256 acres on both sides of Knowlton Corner Road and hope to make the sale to W/S Development Associates LLC, which plans to build a shopping center there. The developers, based in Massachusetts, have created several shopping centers in Maine, including the Marketplace at Augusta and Lewiston Crossing.

A representative for the developer said Home Depot is interested in being the anchor store there. Richard Trafton, attorney for the developer, said, however, that the retailer would not commit until plans for the center were approved. In fact, the sale of the Dakus’ land would not be final until all plans have been approved by the town and the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Trafton also assured residents that they would have the opportunity to comment and vote on plans at public meetings as the process goes forward.

Selectmen spoke of the town’s comprehensive plan, saying that the Route 2 corridor was identified as an area that should be developed commercially.

Several residents spoke of concerns about wildlife, water quality and traffic.

Resident Anne Geller said she felt the town’s comprehensive plan was in place to protect the town’s future.

“You’re whittling away our kids’ future,” she said. She asked developers if they could find another spot on the 70 acres for the center.

“That stream needs to be protected,” she said.

Developers said they would use less than half the 70 acres but did not specify the actual proposed location of the store.

Most of the selectmen urged voters to support the amendment, saying incoming business would provide a greater tax base to support the school district’s increasing costs.

Selectman Charles Murray told voters there would be a lot of changes if voters approved the zoning change. But, he assured them, they’ll be well-considered and thought out.