A parcel on Rockaway Road is poised to become Senoia's first development using open space guidelines.

The new guidelines focus on maintaining at least 25 percent open space in the entire development and having passive recreation areas such as walking paths in the development.

Open space development also increases the density in the developed portion of the project. Ricky Hart's proposed development on Rockaway Road sets aside the open space and places at least 54 homes on the rest of the property.

While many residents attending Tuesday night's City Council meeting were in favor of maintaining green space, they cautioned the city about rushing into a decision.

Mary Provost, who lives in the neighboring Twin Lakes subdivision, submitted a petition from her neighbors who did not want to see anymore development in their neighborhood.

“Preserve the lake and don't rush completion of the sewer project,” she said.

The city has embarked on building a municipal sewer system and Hart has pledged to spend $125,000 to build a pump and lift station to pump sewage from his development into the city's treatment facility.

Resident Joann Utt also urged city officials to take more time before making a decision. The suggestion that the city was rushing in approving a zoning caused Mayor Joan Trammell to bristle.

“I'm not making a hasty decision. We have spent the last three years studying sewer and I'm not rushing at all,” she said.

Councilman Kyle Frank agreed with the mayor.

“Sewer is vitally critical to this town. I think open space is a good type of development,” he said.

Hart maintained that homes in his subdivision would have a historic architectural flavor that would blend in with the city's existing architecture. Scattered throughout the development would be nature trails for all the citizens to use.

The rezoning passed 3-2 vote with Trammell, Frank and Councilman Robert Hannah voting for it, while councilmen Judy Belisle and Dianne Cleveland voted against it.

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