WEDDINGTON, N.C. -- There's no decision in the battle over a wastewater treatment plant in Weddington, N.C.

Weddington town council held a public hearing Monday night but didn't vote on whether to give I.B. Development and Infinity Partners the permit they need to build the plant.

Hundreds of people turned out to oppose the permit. They passed out signs and stickers against the plant.

Ken Evans said, "We're concerned about the smell from the pump station. We're concerned about property values."

The companies want to build hundreds of homes along Weddington Road and the plant for the new residents.

The developers say they wanted to use underground septic tanks, but it cost too much.

Philip Walton with Infinity Partners said, "At the prices that land was going for in Union County and at the prices that you can sell finished lots, you simply cannot even make the cost of the land work out."

The developer said wastewater plants are more environmentally-friendly than septic tanks. The developers thought that would be a selling point for people there.

Council plans to vote on the permit next Monday.