Marietta Rezones Land for Development Near Historic Black Street

At a recent council meeting, the Marietta City Council voted to rezone 2.4 acres of land near a historically Black community which would pave the way for a 20-townhome development.

The council voted 6-1, with Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson opposed, to rezone the property which sits on the corner of Tower Road and James Street to allow the development of single-family homes.

The development, proposed by Dr. Parin Chheda and dubbed the Kennestone Battle Townhomes, hopes to bring 20 townhomes targeted primarily to young professionals working at Wellstar Kennestone, which is about a half-mile away from the property.

But residents of James Street, a historically Black street that neighbors the proposed development, spoke out about fear of changes to the community at a public hearing held by the council on the rezoning.

“That neighborhood is the only Black historic neighborhood in Marietta. That’s all we have,” Louise Williams said.

Richardson told the MDJ Thursday that’s why she voted against the rezoning.

“I don’t want them to lose the character of that neighborhood ... It wasn’t that I’m against the project. I worry now for the neighborhood,” Richardson said. “There’s very few streets that were literally all Black ... They feel like there’s nothing that’s preserving their identity.”

She added that despite the likelihood of the development coming in, she hopes some historical preservation efforts will be undertaken to protect the area’s identity.

Several public commenters who advocated for the rezoning said they hope it will curb issues related to nearby homeless encampments, including Veronica Anderson, a real estate agent who detailed issues she’s faced selling a home on the nearby Roselane Street.

Anderson said despite cutting the price of the home, it’s sat on the market for over 150 days.

“One time, during a showing, a potential buyer and their agent opened up the garage to find a man — who they presumed dead — passed out on the floor of the garage,” she said. “... I am a proponent for this development because I believe it would provide safety and stability without comprising the integrity and history of James Street, while providing much needed housing opportunities to Marietta families and families looking to call Marietta home.”

But some James Street residents challenged that point, fearing it would push the problem onto their properties.

“How will it combat homelessness besides possibly push(ing) the homeless camp that they’re saying they’re seeing … further into our neighborhood?” Helen Reed said.

While some in the area said they supported the development because it would raise their property value, others worried that would raise their property taxes and push them out of the community they’ve long called home.

Councilman Carlyle Kent, who made the motion to rezone the property, reminded residents that while their county or school property taxes may increase, the city allows them a homestead exemption that locks in their property taxes at the price which they bought their house.

He said that he, too, cares deeply about preserving the history of the neighborhood and hopes the developer will do right by the community.

“I want to see that neighborhood thrive and maintain the integrity of that neighborhood,” Kent said. “… I hope they will do what is right by that community.”