By Rebecca Gaunt

The rezoning request for the residential property at 3045 Cherokee St. to join the central business district (CBD) sparked a lengthy discussion at the Aug.19 Kennesaw City Council meeting.

After council members agreed to compromises on parking and street connectivity, they approved the application 5-0.

“We want to make this a really strong gateway into downtown coming in from the northeast,” said Jason Scheidt, the designer of the mixed-use development, which will potentially connect with the Galt Commons residential development.

Zoning administrator Darryl Simmons recommended approval of the Kisz Construction, Inc. project with multiple conditions attached. Conditions include the required creation of a mandatory HOA, construction must begin within two years, a minimum of three provided amenities, and construction updates must be given to the Historic Preservation Committee.

Plans include 14 townhomes and 17 stacked flats, 1,600 square feet of retail, a commercial plaza, and communal areas for residents.

In response to concerns voiced on social media, council member Tracey Viars clarified that there were no apartments for rent included in the project, only residences for purchase.

Council members were presented with three options to consider: A) four on-street parking spaces and a minimum 11-foot setback, B) two on-street parking spaces and a 21-foot setback, or C) no street parking and a 21-foot setback.

Mayor Derek Easterling said that business owners have requested there be on-street parking.

Council member Pat Ferris said residents of Galt Commons had reached out with concerns regarding the plan to potentially connect the roadways of the two developments. Viars disagreed with the suggestion to do away with interconnectivity on the basis of safety concerns and the potential needs of emergency services. The builder agreed to seek approval of 50% of the Galt Commons homeowners before cross connecting the two developments. The fire marshall will also have input on the final plan.

Ferris pushed Simmons on the matter of the setbacks, seeking a specific distance with regard to the CBD ordinance. In response, Simmons said they could set specific minimum setbacks for the residential and the commercial portions. A frustrated Ferris accused him of playing games, which Simmons denied.

“The whole point of having a CBD is to be flexible and not have a linear zoning district standard where everything is a straight line. That’s not how it’s going to work because Cherokee Street is not a straight line,” Simmons said.

Ferris said he was heavily opposed to any on-street parking, and ultimately Option C, with no street parking, was approved despite disagreement voiced by Easterling, Viars and Madelyn Orochena.

Ferris requested unsuccessfully to postpone the final vote until the next regular meeting.

The Historic Preservation Committee approved the demolition of the residential houses at 3045 and 3033 Cherokee Street as part of the project. The home at 3045 is designated as historic and is required to be commemorated with a plaque. 

The full discussion can be viewed on the City of Kennesaw Facebook page.

Rebecca Gaunt earned a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in education from Oglethorpe University. After teaching elementary school for several years, she returned to writing. She lives in Marietta with her husband, son, two cats, and a dog. In her spare time, she loves to read, binge Netflix and travel.