DURHAM - Duke University's request to rezone 128 acres of the Central Campus failed one hurdle Tuesday because of concerns about the new shops and eateries that could be built on the property.

The city's planning commission, a panel that advises the City Council on land-use and development issues, voted 7 to 4 to recommend rejection of the rezoning proposal.

"I don't believe a university ought to be in the business of running a shopping center," said Caleb Southern, a planning commission member.

Over the next 40 years, Duke plans to transform property between East Campus and West Campus into a mix of new student housing, university buildings, arts centers, classrooms, student eateries and other campus-based shops.

Neighborhood advocates worry about the university's plan to reserve the right to build 20,000 to 50,000 square feet of new retail.

Too much commercial development, they say, could further isolate the walled-in campus from the city, giving students few reasons to go to nearby restaurants or stores.

Business advocates also worry that on-campus shops might rob business from Ninth Street, Northgate Mall and other established commercial areas.

But George Stanziale, Duke's representative at the commission meeting, said zone restrictions require that any campus retail support university uses.

"They don't understand," Stanziale said. "Duke can't go out there and build free-standing buildings."

Under the university zone, Duke could build a campus bookstore with mostly textbooks but not a free-standing restaurant, said Frank Duke, city-county planning director.

John Schelp, a neighborhood advocate, rejoiced in the planning commission vote. The topic is set to go to City Council in December.

"The way they have it proposed, they're asking for 2 1/2 acres of retail for the public with almost a half acre per building," Schelp said. "That's outrageous. The mission of the university is education. Retail shouldn't be the mission."

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