OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Summary - January 05, 2026

City Council Archive View — Monday, January 5, 2026
BodyMarietta, Georgia
SessionCity Council Archive View
DateMonday, January 5, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

I don't know that.

0:01

All right, I'm gonna call the meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to order the first item or the minutes from last meeting.

0:09

I move that we approve.

0:12

Second, Martin.

0:12

Any other discussion?

0:14

All those in favor?

0:16

All right.

0:17

I'm in favor.

0:18

Okay, thank you, Chris.

0:20

Okay, 303 Kennesaw, the bears.

0:23

You've got two applications, so we'll do them one at a time.

0:26

The first one is the pool and the next.

0:29

No, I got it wrong.

0:30

First one's a chimney, next one is a pool.

0:32

So if you just want to come up and introduce yourselves, tell us about your project, and we'll ask any questions.

0:38

And while they're coming up, this is the Archibald Howell House.

0:42

This is one of the most significant houses in all of Marietta.

0:45

So I really congratulate you on purchasing that house and doing a great job.

0:51

Neighbors of us.

0:52

Yeah, that's a really important thing.

0:57

Yeah.

0:58

Beautiful.

0:58

We love your house.

0:59

Yeah, we do.

1:04

My son lives there now at the corner of Stewart in Kennesaw.

1:06

Okay.

1:07

Okay.

1:07

Yeah.

1:08

North corner.

1:08

Yeah.

1:09

Yeah.

1:10

And then Steven lives where which where do you have?

1:12

At least next door.

1:13

He's actually our neighbor, yeah.

1:15

So you're you're company of all your neighbors.

1:21

Okay, I'm sorry, go ahead.

1:23

All right, yeah.

1:24

So we are hoping to shore up the chimneys.

1:30

Um they're letting water and rodents in currently.

1:34

Um and they're not in very good shape.

1:36

Uh so stabilizing them so that they don't fall or you know, pose any sort of danger.

1:43

Um, in particular the the chimney um the pots that are on there right now.

1:48

Um they don't they're not actually set in anything.

1:52

Um there's also like there's three of them.

1:55

The middle one is just sitting on bricks.

1:58

It's there's not three flues in there, so it's not supported by anything.

2:03

Um getting those down.

2:06

And I thought in your in your application, you said those are not the original ones, right?

2:11

The terracotta.

2:12

Yeah.

2:14

Okay.

2:15

Any other questions, comment?

2:17

Well, it seemed like you uh did a good job to prepare a case here.

2:22

Um it sounds like to me, is if I as I read this without going to study the house myself, but taking what was here in the package and your representation of it, there's two that are not original that don't match the others.

2:35

Uh correct?

2:37

The the chimney stacks, uh so the main stacks are original, but the pots on top of are not original.

2:45

Uh there's some improper design to match the type of uh flu there is, is that correct?

2:50

The the brick?

2:52

Yeah, the um there's there's three of these pots set up there, but there's only two flues.

2:58

So it it doesn't make sense.

3:01

Uh poor poor installation, uh damaged and dangerous.

3:07

Is that sum it up?

3:08

Yes.

3:09

Yes.

3:10

Uh well anyway, that's to me fairly pretty strong argument if all that's true.

3:15

Yeah.

3:15

Our chimney guy went up there and he said he's shocked that they're still up there.

3:20

So you've got somebody who's who's giving you d ideas on how to how to repair this that you have confidence in?

3:26

Yeah.

3:27

With all the proper references, I'm sure you've checked out.

3:29

Yeah.

3:30

Uh and it sounds like the the care to repair, I'll call it.

3:33

I mean, that you're trying to match and build properly.

3:37

I mean, you're trying to get that done, is that correct?

3:39

Yes.

3:44

Any other comments, questions?

3:46

I'm super excited about this taking place because it's right down the street from us.

3:50

Yeah, this is the street.

3:54

Oh, sorry.

3:56

We've watched uh this house since we've been on the corner down there.

4:00

And we are really excited that somebody is moving in there to do it properly.

4:05

So I endorse what you're doing.

4:07

Thank you.

4:08

Yes.

4:08

David, you have questions, Tom?

4:11

You won't have the three the three things sticking up, it'll just be this like this, right?

4:16

Yes.

4:16

Okay.

4:17

Yeah.

4:17

And we were planning on putting those on all of the chimneys so that they all match.

4:21

Okay.

4:21

Sorry.

4:22

No, you're anyone else.

4:29

Make a motion to approve.

4:30

All right.

4:31

Second.

4:32

Jim, any other discussion?

4:34

All those in favor.

4:36

Okay.

4:36

All right, you're good there.

4:37

Let's go to the um pool.

4:41

Uh not in favor.

4:42

Oh, I'm sorry, Chris.

4:43

Okay.

4:44

Are you able to hear everything pretty clearly, Chris?

4:47

Yeah, I can hear everybody.

4:48

Okay, okay.

4:50

If not, Chris, you could watch it online.

4:54

Hi, Chris.

4:58

Sorry.

5:00

What channel is it?

5:01

It's online.

5:02

On the website.

5:04

Screaming.

5:05

Okay, I'm sorry, go ahead.

5:07

Remove existing pool and patio.

5:09

Yeah, so we weren't totally sure uh about this because it it's not visible from Kennesaw.

5:13

Um it's in the backyard, but you can't see it from Holland.

5:16

Well, you can see the dilapidated fence uh more than the pool.

5:19

Um but yeah, so this this pool was installed um sometime in the 80s.

5:24

Um and it's not in good shape.

5:27

Um we have a two and a half year old daughter, and we would prefer to just not have a pool and put a garden in.

5:32

Um so we would like to remove it and all the concrete surrounding it and go back to being able to put a formal garden back there.

5:42

Well, I mean, you're already here, but you make a good point.

5:44

I'm not sure it's visible from the public right away.

5:47

Um you can't see it.

5:50

Uh but since you're here, we'll go through the process.

5:53

Like I said, I just generally wasn't sure it says visible from the street.

5:57

Right.

5:58

We got two streets.

6:01

You did the right time.

6:03

So you're gonna you're gonna fill it in and make a patio type thing, or what for now?

6:10

Um the company that's removing it, they're gonna resot it.

6:14

And then eventually, once we get done with more repairs on the house.

6:19

Um we want to put in a formal garden.

6:22

Um, but no plans to do like a pool or anything.

6:26

Okay.

6:29

Any other questions, comments?

6:31

Um, I was gonna say I can speak to it it is in need of repair.

6:35

I actually wanted to buy the house, but my wife wouldn't let me, so that's where it is.

6:41

Um yeah, congrats on y'all purchasing it, but yeah, that pool was in rough shape.

6:45

Yeah, yeah.

6:46

Yeah, we we came to spite on it before the the bank covered it.

6:50

And we were like, oh, it was green.

6:53

Yeah.

6:54

Anyone else?

6:56

I'll make a motion that we approve the uh application because file.

7:00

Okay.

7:01

Any other discussion?

7:02

All those in favor.

7:04

Okay, you're done.

7:06

I'm in favor as well.

7:07

Let me just say again, we're really excited that you bought that house.

7:11

We're looking forward to great things over there.

7:13

Thank you.

7:14

We really appreciate that.

7:15

Yeah, so good luck.

7:16

Exciting project.

7:16

Hope you're handy with a checkbook.

7:20

Actually, handy, but yeah.

7:22

Okay.

7:24

Right to the bone on that one.

7:27

Okay, the calendar, it's uh we don't really need to discuss.

7:30

So excited.

7:31

And then the ramble, do we need to?

7:33

I guess.

7:34

Nope, just uh wanted to uh bring to your attention that they did send a lovely thank you letter.

7:39

I think I put it in everyone's packet for the donation that the Historic Preservation Commission made in the amount of a thousand dollars, and they were very thankful, very grateful uh for your support and your donation.

7:52

And just if you're thinking about um attending the ramble one day, all days, just let me know.

8:00

Those of you who already have done so, I have you know what you what you plan to do, but just uh let me know.

8:06

It's in April, right?

8:07

It is in April, yes.

8:08

Who who's going so far?

8:12

Okay.

8:13

No one else.

8:15

I'm I'm it's on my calendar and I want to.

8:18

Just too far out.

8:19

There's yeah, there's things doing this.

8:22

Well, I I'd encourage you to attend.

8:24

That's I think you'd enjoy it.

8:26

Oh, I would love to.

8:28

Anything else?

8:31

Okay.

8:32

Steven, thank you for coming.

8:33

Um one thing I was I've been talking to Becky, and I offered to get her.

8:40

You know, she can't uh she has trouble driving, so I was gonna bring her to the meeting, and she said okay.

8:44

Then she called me back and said that she's likely gonna resign.

8:47

So that's kind of just too hard for her to get to the meeting.

8:52

So I think she wants to participate.

8:54

It's just getting here and getting into this room.

8:58

All right.

8:59

Yeah.

9:00

How long has she been on?

9:01

What's that?

9:02

How many years has she been on it?

9:04

Oh my gosh, since the beginning with me.

9:06

That's um five.

9:08

Yeah, a long time.

9:09

Anything we can do to commemorate that if she does resign?

9:12

Yeah, we'll yeah, we'll give her a certificate or so.

9:14

I know when she left the HBR.

9:17

Isn't that they had the council did a nice thing, I think.

9:20

Yeah, she came to the council meeting.

9:22

So we could do something like that.

9:23

Yeah, that would be.

9:27

Okay.

9:28

All right, thank you.

9:29

Meeting adjourned.

9:30

All right, see y'all next.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████72%
Community Engagement█████████████20%
Personnel Matters█████8%
Summary of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Summary - January 05, 2026

The Historic Preservation Commission convened to approve minutes, address two preservation applications for the Archibald Howell House at 303 Kennesaw Drive, discuss organizational donations, and address a member's potential resignation. The commission expressed strong support for the new owners' efforts to stabilize and maintain the historic property.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously upon motion by Chris and second by Martin.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Commissioner Neighbor: Expressed full support and excitement regarding the purchase and repair efforts of the Archibald Howell House, noting the property is a significant historic asset in Marietta and that they have watched the house with anticipation.
  • Commissioner Neighbor (Comment on Pool): Confirmed the pool was in rough shape and needed repair; supported the removal to eliminate a safety hazard and potential eyesore.
  • Becky (Commissioner): Noted via discussion among peers that she is likely resigning from the commission due to difficulty driving and attending meetings in person. She has served since the beginning, approximately five years.

Discussion Items

  • Chimney Restoration (303 Kennesaw Dr):
    • Applicants proposed stabilizing three chimney stacks to prevent water and rodent intrusion and to address structural dangers.
    • Clarification was provided that the main stacks are original, but the terracotta pots (pots) are not original and were improperly installed (three pots for two flues, with the middle pot unsupported).
    • The commission verified the proposed repair plan involves removing the non-original/unsafe pots and matching the design properly.
  • Pool Removal (303 Kennesaw Dr):
    • Applicants requested removal of an in-ground pool and patio installed in the 1980s.
    • The property owners stated the pool is in disrepair, currently poses a safety risk for their toddler, and will be filled in with plans to eventually install a formal garden rather than a pool or patio.
    • Some commissioners noted the pool is not currently visible from the main street (Kennesaw) but approved the action based on the safety and renovation context provided.
  • Organizational Matters:
    • The commission acknowledged a thank-you letter regarding a $1,000 donation made to "The Ramble" and discussed the upcoming event in April.
    • Proposed a certificate to be presented to Becky upon her departure to commemorate her five years of service.

Key Outcomes

  • Chimney Application: Approved unanimously. The commission endorsed the plan to remove the non-original pots and stabilize the original stacks.
  • Pool Removal Application: Approved unanimously. The commission authorized the removal of the existing pool and patio and subsequent filling of the area.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned, with plans to honor Becky's tenure with a certificate.

Meeting Transcript

I don't know that. All right, I'm gonna call the meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission to order the first item or the minutes from last meeting. I move that we approve. Second, Martin. Any other discussion? All those in favor? All right. I'm in favor. Okay, thank you, Chris. Okay, 303 Kennesaw, the bears. You've got two applications, so we'll do them one at a time. The first one is the pool and the next. No, I got it wrong. First one's a chimney, next one is a pool. So if you just want to come up and introduce yourselves, tell us about your project, and we'll ask any questions. And while they're coming up, this is the Archibald Howell House. This is one of the most significant houses in all of Marietta. So I really congratulate you on purchasing that house and doing a great job. Neighbors of us. Yeah, that's a really important thing. Yeah. Beautiful. We love your house. Yeah, we do. My son lives there now at the corner of Stewart in Kennesaw. Okay. Okay. Yeah. North corner. Yeah. Yeah. And then Steven lives where which where do you have? At least next door. He's actually our neighbor, yeah. So you're you're company of all your neighbors. Okay, I'm sorry, go ahead. All right, yeah. So we are hoping to shore up the chimneys. Um they're letting water and rodents in currently. Um and they're not in very good shape. Uh so stabilizing them so that they don't fall or you know, pose any sort of danger. Um, in particular the the chimney um the pots that are on there right now. Um they don't they're not actually set in anything. Um there's also like there's three of them. The middle one is just sitting on bricks. It's there's not three flues in there, so it's not supported by anything. Um getting those down. And I thought in your in your application, you said those are not the original ones, right? The terracotta. Yeah.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com