Two historic Kennesaw homes will be repurposed as part of the Old Cherokee Project, rather than moved as originally planned.

The site plan changes submitted by Sanctuary Development were recommended for approval in July by the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority and the Historic Preservation Committee. The original plan for 2895 and 3007 Cherokee St. and land lot 129, approved in 2018, involved relocating the old Galt and Grambling homes across the street and building townhomes, condos and rental apartments. The new plan reduces residential units from 71 to 45 and eliminates the apartments.

The project, which is located in the Central Business District, now includes five townhomes, 10 condominiums and a maximum of 30 single-family homes. The historic structures will undergo renovations and be repurposed for commercial purposes and marked with historical plaques. City Council approved the revised plans Monday.

Also discussed at Monday’s meeting:

*Kennesaw approved an intergovernmental agreement with Cobb County for the sharing and use of CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act funding.

Kennesaw is being allocated nearly $1.8 million, with half being awarded in a lump sum and the other half available for reimbursement. The money must be used for expenditures that were incurred due to COVID-19, that were not included in the budget most recently approved as of March 27 and were incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020.

*Mayor Derek Easterling led a commissioning ceremony at the start of the meeting for Jacob A. Drobney, second lieutenant U.S. Army and son of City Manager Jeff Drobney,

“This is the future of leadership right here,” Easterling said.

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.