Loyola College narrowly won approval last night to build a 71-acre athletic complex, over the objections of some Woodberry residents who waved signs and chanted outside City Hall.

The City Council approved the plan in a 10-6 vote, with three abstentions. All 10 of those "yes" votes were needed for the project to pass -- a majority of the 19-member council.

Among the supporters was Councilman Robert W. Curran, a Northeast Baltimore Democrat. Loyola, as well as Morgan State University and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, are in his district, although the project is outside it.

"These universities are landlocked," he said. "If we don't help them expand, we're really hindering them."

Council President Sheila Dixon voted "no," and hinted that environmental concerns could derail the project. Part of the complex would be built atop two closed landfills. The federal Environmental Protection Agency is studying the effect of development on the land.

"All of this might be null and void," Dixon said.

But neighborhood opponents, who chanted, "Save the woods, stop Loyola" before the meeting, were not optimistic.

"Most people in the area are getting ready to sell their houses," said Tracey Brown of Woodberry, who said the project would threaten residents' health and quality of life.

In the area southwest of the Jones Falls Expressway and West Cold Spring Lane, Loyola intends to build a 6,000-seat outdoor stadium and two lighted practice fields, one of them circled by a running track.

The college had proposed a second phase, which would have included a 6,000-seat arena for ice hockey and basketball and six tennis courts. In the face of neighborhood opposition, the second phase has been dropped, at least temporarily.

The council also banned the sale and consumption of alcohol at the facility and required a less-bright form of lighting, said Councilwoman Lois A. Garey, a 1st District Democrat. Those compromises should make the complex more palatable to the community, said Garey, who voted against it.

Also voting "no" were John L. Cain, Lisa J. Stancil, Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. and Edward L. Reisinger. Members Pamela V. Carter, Bernard C. "Jack" Young and Catherine E. Pugh abstained.

Also last night, the council voted to renew the Charles Village Community Benefits District for another year. The district was created to fight crime and grime with money collected from an extra property tax.

Some residents in the 100-block district opposed the reauthorization, questioning the organization's financial practices and inclusiveness.