Larger homes may be in the

future for Senoia.

City Council approved a new zoning category that will help preserve greenspace,

but offer the builder a chance at higher-density housing.

The category, named R-40 Conservation,

allows a builder to increase his density by 15 percent, but also requiring

him to maintain 25 percent of the property as undisturbed greenspace.

The zoning category also requires

the minimum house size to be at least 2,000 square feet. The city's

other residential zoning category requires a 1,600-square-foot home.

"I think that's a

pretty drastic jump," said acting Mayor Robert Hannah.

But Councilman Robert Belisle,

who helped draw up the ordinance, said the developer still had the option

of building a smaller home in the existing zoning category.

"We want to build a higher

value of property," said Councilman Bill Wood.

Councilman Pat Tunnell, who

cast the dissenting vote, did not like the proposal.

"I like the idea of greenspace,

but I think we're discouraging growth," he said.

Belisle disagreed with Tunnell

and said that down the road, the growth would continue.

"It will make the area

more desireable," he said.