SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) — Officials in a Detroit suburb have rejected plans for a Wal-Mart store on a busy corridor.

The Southfield City Council voted 5-1 early Tuesday against the retail giant's proposal after a six-hour meeting. WWJ-AM and television stations WDIV and WJBK report about 70 people attended the meeting and many were opposed to the new store on Southfield Road at the site of a former church and school.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had requested that the nine-acre site be rezoned to allow the construction of the store.

Residents say they were concerned about excessive traffic in the area. Wal-Mart officials say they planned new traffic signals and other measures to ease congestion.

One supporter says redevelopment is important for the city's tax base.