Planning commission approves renewal for Kennesaw home-based cookie business

The Kennesaw Planning Commission voted to renew a home-based land use permit for Ali Jackson, allowing her to bake and sell specialty cookies from her residence at 2800 Dominion Lane under the same conditions previously imposed.

Planning staff told the commission the property is 0.03 acres, zoned RM-8 (residential multifamily), and that Jackson has operated the business since the mayor and council approved the original permit on 2023-10-16. "Staff finds that the intensity of the proposed use is very low and will continue to not generate excessive noise or hazard to surrounding properties," the planning staff presentation said, and staff recommended approval of the renewal with the same conditions: the permit is limited to the current applicant for the life of the home-based business, no clients or customers or additional outside employees are permitted at the location, and the permit term is 24 months.

During the public-comment period, Lexi, who identified herself as the homeowners association president for the Dominion at Kennesaw and a member of the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority, said she and the community supported the renewal. "We are fully supportive of this item tonight," Lexi said, adding that her career focuses on supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A motion to approve LU-2025-06, the land use permit renewal, was made, seconded and carried with no recorded opposition. The chair noted Commissioner Jackson had arrived and participated in the vote. After the vote, staff indicated there were no additional comments and the commission moved to adjourn.

The renewal will go to the mayor and council for their consideration on 2025-10-20 as part of the city's review process for new-business items.