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Council declines $5,000 offer for abandoned right-of-way at 2995 and 2997 North Main Street
Summary
Property owner and council debated sale of an abandoned right-of-way; the owner asked the council to accept a $5,000 offer citing remediation costs, staff presented prior appraisals and a prior authorization, and the council voted to reject the offer (motion failed 3–1 with one recusal).
The Kennesaw mayor and council voted to reject a $5,000 offer from an adjacent property owner to purchase an abandoned right-of-way located at 2995 and 2997 North Main Street.
The property owner and resident Dean Klein addressed the council during public comment about erosion and an unmaintainable steep slope on the parcel. Klein said the land had been in an unclear status for decades and that records and deeds may contain errors; he said remediation costs to fix the erosion would exceed $7,000. Klein urged the council to accept the owner’s offer to acquire the right-of-way so they could assume maintenance and beautify the gateway to downtown Kennesaw.
City staff presented appraisal and history details in the meeting packet: two prior appraisals had valued the right-of-way at $9,000 and $15,600. At the April 7, 2025 meeting, the council had authorized a sale amount of $12,300; the packet for this meeting showed the property owner’s formal offer of $5,000. Staff recommended denial of the $5,000 offer.
Council discussion led to a motion to accept the $5,000 offer as presented. After a roll-call-style vote, the motion failed by a vote of 3–1; the record reflects one recusal by Council Member Madeline Orchenes. The precise voter names tied to yes/no tallies were not specified in the transcript. The council did not approve the sale at the offered price.
During the public comment and staff presentation, the owner said the appraisal’s indicated value (the owner referenced an appraisal that assessed approximately $2,500 in diminished value) would not cover the remediation cost the owner estimated at more than $7,000.
No alternative sale price or timetable was approved at the meeting. The council previously had authorized a higher sale amount at an earlier meeting (April 7, 2025) but declined the $5,000 offer tonight. The council did not adopt a plan for remediation or transfer of maintenance responsibilities at this meeting.
Because Council Member Madeline Orchenes recused herself from this item, the vote count reflects one recusal; the motion outcome is recorded as failed and no sale was finalized.
