The Senoia

City Council tuned down a commercial rezoning matter, despite hearing

how a negative vote could hurt Jesus' work.

A packed City

Hall watched the City Council discuss a proposal by First Baptist Church

of Senoia to sell its 10-acre tract on Ga. Highway 16 to Grover Neece

to develop as a pool supply store and other retails shops.

The church

had bought the tract near Howard Road a few years ago to build its new

sanctuary, but decided the site was too small and bought a 20-acre tract

on Ga. Highway 85.

In order to

start on its new church, the church has to sell the tract on Hwy.16 and

was seeking the City Council's approval Monday night.

City planner

Bill Johnston to the City Council of his opposition to the rezoning.

"Senoia

is a small community. It can only support so much commercial. There's

a risk of overbuilding," he said.

Johnston also

said the future land use map calls for the land to be zoned residential,

and adjoining Coweta County does not have a commercial zoning district

in the area.

But Dennis

Drewyer, who represented Neece, said a commercial development would look

far better than a residential one.

Under the city's

current zoning, Drewyer said a residential development would not have

to have any buffering, and small 1,500 sq.ft homes could be built on the

site.

"This

development would improve the city's tax base," he added.

First Baptist's

Ronnie Mitchell said the sale of the land to Neece would help Jesus' work

in the community and help the church expand its mission in the city.

But Nancy Roy

who lives across the street from the property reminded the City Council

that years ago, a consulting group recommended that portion of Hwy.16

remain residential.

Kevin Kahl,

who lives behind the property, summed up his feelings succinctly.

"They're

just looking for more money for their parishioners. More commercial brings

more crime," he said.

The City Council

agreed with the residents speaking against the proposal and voted it down

unanimously.