Fairburn officials gave a thumbs up to a new development on Rivertown Road that will bring more than 70 new families to the town.

During Monday night's meeting, the City Council voted to rezone 58 acres from R-1, one acre lots to R-2, half acre lots.

The council voted for the rezoning despite protests from area residents who wanted the density to remain the same.

"We thought the land use plan was something we could count on. There are people who have been there 30 and 40 years," said resident Jim Cook.

David Story agreed with Cook and said the development would just bring more traffic into the area.

Mayor Betty Hannah said a traffic study might be worth considering before the rezoning is voted on, but was not supported in her efforts.

"A traffic study is not going to help. There's going to be a subdivision there, regardless of what we do," said Councilman Glenn Higgins.

Councilman Gene Wiggins agreed.

"There's always going to be traffic," he said.

City planner Bill Johnston said the plan for the R-2 development features open space, which could be used to help connect a set of linear parks in Fairburn.

If the property was left R-1, City Attorney Brad Sears said, approximately 50 homes could be built. But with the developer agreeing to construct bigger homes 1,950 square feet and open space, only 73 homes would be built.

The City Council agreed with staff and approved the denser zoning.