Within the

next few days, Senoia should see ground broken on its

first "open space" subdivision.

The council

approved a new subdivision on Rockaway Road Monday night

that features the new zoning category that allows smaller

lots as long as 25 percent of the green space is

preserved.

Council

members had debated the issue for nearly two months, but

finally approved the preliminary plat this week.

The biggest

bone of contention was Councilman Robert Hannah's

suggestion that the developers should provide a traffic

island at the entrance.

"It's

just better for beauty and safety concerns," he

said.

After

reviewing his options, the developer agreed to widen the

entrance into the subdivision to 28 feet, but without an

island.

The

subdivision features 55 homes on 26 acres, with six acres

of the total reserved for green space.

vote, the council approved the first reading of an

amendment to the city's zoning ordinances to provide for

an open space zoning category.

Throughout

the debate, Senoia Mayor Joan Trammell has argued that

this type of development is in the best interests of the

city.

"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.