That grande latte with skim milk may have been brewed with a splash of controversy, but it is coming.

The Boston Licensing Commission yesterday voted to approve a license for a Starbucks at 749 East Broadway at the intersection of L Street in South Boston, despite opposition from Mayor Martin J. Walsh and many neighbors.

“We’re thrilled with the decision and look forward to being an active neighbor and gathering place for the Southie community. We’ll be able to share more information about the planned opening in the coming weeks,” a Starbucks spokesman said.

The battle had pitted neighbor against neighbor, and for some it was all about the quickly changing neighborhood. Many opposed the license ?because they said a national corporation would be less likely to contribute to youth programs such as sports teams, and would be less visible in the community than a locally owned shop.

Opponents also said the coffee chain location would be too disruptive to traffic and parking, and was not necessary for a neighborhood that already has a number of coffee shops. Critics have said there are 11 cafes and restaurants that serve coffee in the immediate area.

Others said a corporate chain would be able to pay more in rent, driving up costs for other local businesses.

Walsh’s office has opposed the Starbucks from the beginning, saying there was no need for ?another coffee shop in the neighborhood, later citing concerns by some neighbors over parking and traffic. In a statement, Walsh’s office said: “The Mayor respects the Licensing Board’s decision and looks forward to Starbucks addressing the neighborhood’s concerns.”

But supporters argued Starbucks filled a void in the neighborhood by offering a place to do work and an establishment that will be open late that isn’t a bar. At a licensing panel hearing earlier this month, testimony supporting and opposing the coffee chain was roughly even.

The approval comes after months of debate. The Starbucks was originally ?rejected by the commission in the spring, but the company came back after addressing community concerns, including how the store would deal with its trash, according to a lawyer representing Starbucks.

City Councilor Michael Flaherty originally opposed the license but eventually threw his backing behind Starbucks ?because of community support, his office said.

The commission was expected to make a decision last week, but it delayed its ruling to go through the large amount of testimony.