The City Planning Commission voted Wednesday in favor of a plan to redevelop the mostly-industrial Willets Point area in Queens, replacing auto repair shops and scrap yards with new commercial development, a convention center, and affordable housing.

“It will enhance Flushing and Corona's roles as the economic center of the borough in this strategic location in between two airports,” said City Planning Department Commissioner Amanda Burden.

The only dissenting vote was from Commissioner Karen Phillips, the representative of Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. Her vote was greeted with applause and chanting from eminent domain protesters in the crowd.

"She has the right view of what really is going in Willets Point and it's impossible to build anything now," said one protester. "But, we have to have affordable housing for poor people."

After the planning commission vote, Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement saying that the city will works to meet the problems of Willets Point.

"The plan will continue to be refined as City Council Members review the plan, ask questions and provide input," said Bloomberg. "I am confident that, at the end of the day, they too will choose to address the challenges that have plagued Willets Point for decades and act to create new economic opportunities for all Queens residents."

The plan is supposed to go to the City Council in November, where it could be met with strong opposition. In August, 33 of the 51 council members signed a letter opposing the use of eminent domain to force the current businesses out.

“A majority of the council members have already indicated that they will not approve the project while eminent domain is on the table,” said Democratic Queens Councilman Tony Avella.

Critics are concerned the plan does not address what types of public subsidies will be used and that property owners are being forced out.

The mayor's office announced an initiative to provide training and job placement for displaced workers.

“We have five deals and we expect in the coming months and weeks we will have more to announce,” said Tom McKnight of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

The project could uproot as many as 260 businesses.