NE Cobb rezoning request withdrawn on historic home site Archives

NE Cobb rezoning historic preservation efforts

The owner of a car wash chain eyeing property near the Town Center area in Northeast Cobb has withdrawn its rezoning request.

Attorney Parks Huff submitted the request Monday on behalf of Tommy’s Express by Northgate, telling Cobb commissioners Tuesday at their monthly zoning hearing that his client had contractual and other obligations that prevented the case from going forward.

Commissioners were to have heard the request to rezone two acres at Bells Ferry Road and Barrett Parkway that includes an 1840s-era home that was the headquarters for a Union general during the Civil War.

Earlier this month, the Cobb Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval to convert the property from residential to neighborhood retail commercial (NRC) and low-rise office (LRO) after Huff presented a revised site plant that would have kept the McAfee House on the site.

Trevor Beemon, Cobb Landmarks’ executive director, told the Planning Commission that his organization wants to relocate the house, saying it’s not ideal to serve as a cultural center, although there is some community support for keeping it there.

Huff didn’t elaborate on why his client was backing out after the Planning Commission vote. Commissioners voted 4-0 Tuesday to formalize the withdrawal without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled again at any time.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said she’s hopeful a new applicant can come in and pursue development of the land, which is across from Bells Ferry Elementary School and is surrounded by commercial development.

In a social media post late Monday, Cobb Landmarks said it will continue efforts started in 2019 to preserve the house:

“For those suggesting the house be used as a museum or other public use—if money wasn’t a factor, then yes. However, the estimate to restore the house for commercial/public use is about $700,000. Maintenance is estimated to be about $23,000 a year. Not to mention the list price near $1M to acquire it. It would cost $1.7M+ just to get started, and then more to operate it once it’s finished. This would be extremely challenging for anyone to pull off.”

This is the second rezoning case in recent months that involved an historic structure in East Cobb that eventually was abandoned.

Huff also was the attorney for Kenneth B. Clary, who had sought rezoning on Post Oak Tritt Road for a subdivision that drew opposition for stormwater issues.

The site near McPherson Road also contained an 1840s cabin that Cobb Landmarks has wanted to preserve. Some residents and a member of the Cobb Cemetery Preservation Committee claim area around the Power-Jackson cabin includes a small family cemetery, but Huff said he has no evidence of any burials on the site.

Huff withdrew that request last month after the Planning Commission voted to continue the case.