The city of Senoia nearly put the cart before the horse Monday night.

Town leaders were poised to vote on a preliminary plat on a new development on Rockaway Road at Monday night's City Council meeting.

But Councilwoman Judy Belisle questioned whether the council should not first approve the resolution that contains the new type of zoning the developer is seeking.

Last month 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, Belisle said she 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.

After checking with the city's attorney, Trammell said the council could vote on the plat next month after the second reading of the zoning ordinance had been completed.

In other news, the council learned it had a grant of $10,000. City administrator Leonard Thompson said the city recently discovered it had a $10,000 matching grant that could be used for a new structure, such as a pedestrian bridge.

The council is hopeful it will also receive a grant to build a walking trail from the ball fields on Howard Road to the city's park on Seavy Street. Trammell said the funds could be used for a bridge over a creek in the park.

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