The vote came during a special meeting of the council. General Machine Works owner Eugene Wood would like land to construct a 110- by 85-foot expansion at a site near West Second Street. The company manufactures electric clutches and hydraulic valves for industrial and farming equipment.

Earlier Monday, the Spencer Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the allowances needed for the project to move ahead. Residents near the expansion site -- Carl and Laura Carlentini -- expressed concern about lost green space.

The couple asked zoning board members to consider runoff from a parking lot, which will accompany the expansion. The added pavement could also affect property values and draw minors who might cause disruptions when the lot is empty on nights and weekends.

The concerns also were conveyed during Monday night's meeting by Ward 3 council member Steve Bomgaars. He cast the dissenting vote in a 5-1 result. At large council member Rich Prentice was absent.

Bomgaars said he didn't oppose the business expansion.

"I have no problem with that as far as economic development," Bomgaars said. "My concern is what the Carlentinis', the neighbors', concern was. That was the lack of green space that was going to be provided. I thought that was a small price to pay for a grant from the city for $7,500."

Spencer Planning Director Kirby Schmidt told zoning board members the new parking lot would have adequate storm sewer support. Spencer City Manager Bob Fagen said fencing would be part of any potential agreement.

"With those things taken care of, the council tonight voted to enter into an agreement with the owner of General Machine Works and move forward with it," Fagen said, after the council meeting.

Fagen also talked about an extensive, long-term project to help the city comply with Environmental Protection Agency standards. The Community Sewer Initiative, or CSI, is estimated at between $22 million and $30 million.

"The city will be holding a public meeting to inform citizens on what's going on with our combined sewers," Fagen said. "What we hope to do is provide new information about the data we're trying to collect so they know why we're in their neighborhoods. It's also to gain information from them to find out if they're having backups as well. We want to make sure we've got that in our study area."

The EPA wants to eliminate outdated wastewater systems. In certain parts of Spencer, the city's combined sanitary and storm sewers create overloading. It causes raw wastewater to discharge into the river. Sewage also comes up through the basements of some Spencer homes.

The city will hold the informational public meeting beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, May 5, in the Spencer City Council chambers.

Fagen expects the meeting to last about an hour. The city will have maps on the wall, where people can mark where sewer system backups have occurred.