Higher density housing and more green space could be the path of Senoia's future after Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

By a 3-2 vote, the council approved the first reading of an amendment to the city's zoning ordinances to provide for an open space zoning category.

Under the new category, developers will be able to build homes on lots as small as one-quarter acre, if public sewer is available.

In return, developers agree to leave at least 25 percent of the total tract as open space that be used for such items as public trails and parks that can be used by all residents of the city.

During the discussion of the zoning, one of the major sticking points was whether to count areas such as wetlands, flood plains and steep elevations in the 25 percent of open space.

Councilman Judy Belisle argued that these areas were already protected so the developer should not be able to use these areas as open space.

But city planner Bill Johnston said if developers were not allowed to use this as open space, the areas would be platted and residents would wind up with wetlands in their backyards and the land would be not protected.

The council finally agreed that the developer would not be able to count more than 75 percent of wetlands and flood plains areas as part of the 25 percent open space.

The ordinance also reads that no more than 75 percent of the open space can be used for active recreation areas, such as golf courses.

“Not everyone plays golf,” said Johnston.

Belisle said she also had a problem with increasing the density, but Mayor Joan Trammell said the payoff is worth it.

“I want more green space and to keep more of our trees. Developers will only be getting 10 percent more houses under this proposal,” she said.

The open space zoning also requires developers to keep open space 50 feet around the perimeter of the development.

Councilman Dianne Cleveland wanted to study the issue more and suggested tabling it to next week's meeting, but the vote failed.

Councilman Kyle Frank then made a motion to approve the zoning and it passed with Frank, Trammell and Councilman Robert Hannah supporting it.

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