Senoia's historic

First Baptist Church will be moving to the town's western border.

The City Council

gave unanimous approval Monday night for a conditional-special exception

zoning for the church to build a new facility on Ga. Highway 16, across

from Open Door Baptist Church.

The council

did stipulate that construction on the site must start within three years.

During last

week's public hearing, Mayor Joan Trammell said that all churches are

classified as special uses in the city's zoning ordinances

Gene Holbrook

represented First Baptist and said the church's initial plans call for

a sanctuary seating 750-800 and an education center with a capacity of

500.

Holbrook said

church officials are hoping to break ground this year and plan to use

their existing church as a satellite church.

The council

recommended approval of the petition with two additional conditions:

- Access

would be limited to Ga. Highway 16.

- A 50-foot

buffer would be provided between the site and any residential property.