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Historic Preservation Commission approves concept for downtown Kennesaw parking lot at former library site
Summary
The Kennesaw Historic Preservation Commission on April 17 unanimously approved a conceptual site plan (case CBD2026-01) to demolish a disused library at 2250 Lewis Street and build a roughly 0.5-acre public parking lot, conditioned on returning a final landscape plan for the commission's review.
On April 17, 2026, the Kennesaw Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to approve the conceptual site plan (case CBD2026-01) for a public parking lot at 2250 Lewis Street, the site of a city‑owned building formerly used as a Cobb County library.
City staff member Chanel presented the application, saying the library is in a state of disrepair and that the city recently acquired the property. "We have 1 item which is a consideration for a Central Business District project application… for the construction of a public parking lot on approximately 0.5 acres located at 2250 Lewis Street," Chanel told commissioners. The project previously received a unanimous recommendation from the KDDA.
Zach Buffington of Patterson Endure Engineers, the project's representative, said the proposal is at the concept stage and that he would confirm the library's construction history; he estimated the original portion was built in the 1960s with a later addition. "I believe the original portion of the library… was built in the 60s and then the addition on the back was built in the late seventies or the mid eighties," Buffington said.
Commissioners pressed staff on landscaping and street trees. "Will those be retained, while this project is being constructed?" asked Commissioner Nieves, noting street trees along Lewis Street that appear to be in the public right-of-way. Staff and the engineering team said final engineering will determine whether trees are impacted and that a formal landscape plan will be brought back for the commission's review.
Commissioner Gallagher proposed approving the concept as presented — including demolition of the existing building — with the express provision that the Historic Preservation Commission review final plans, including landscaping, when available. Commissioner Nieves moved to approve the conceptual site plan for case CBD2026-01 with that provision; Commissioner Bamblett seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Staff also said a portion of the proposed lot would serve the nearby Collier Building, which lacks dedicated parking, and that staff are working with a potential retail tenant for that building. Engineering and finalized landscaping will be returned to the commission for review before final permits are issued.
Votes at a glance
• Approval of minutes from Feb. 20, 2026: unanimous voice approval (no edits recorded). • Financial report (balance $23,398): motion to approve by Commissioner Nieves, seconded by Commissioner Bamblett; approved by unanimous voice vote. • Case CBD2026-01 (2250 Lewis Street): motion to approve conceptual site plan with requirement that landscaping return for review; motion by Commissioner Nieves, seconded by Commissioner Bamblett; approved by unanimous voice vote.
The commission also heard staff announcements about an administratively approved tree removal at 303001 North Main Street and ongoing updates to historic design standards. The meeting was adjourned at 08:18 a.m.
