The Marietta City Council recently approved rezoning for a new development near WellStar Kennestone Hospital anchored by a restaurant favorite.

The developer, McWirter Realty, told the council at its meeting Dec. 14 that it plans on putting a Panera Bread Co. in the new building, said Lindsey Wiles, city spokeswoman.

The rezoning spans 120 Lewis Drive and 732 Cherokee St., which were previously zoned as office spaces.

The application asks for allowances to build an 8,718-square-foot building and 78 parking spaces for restaurant and retail shopping purposes.

McWirter will demolish the buildings at the Cherokee Street address, which haven’t been occupied for years, according to city staff.

The building would be in the far west corner of the property where Lewis Drive meets Cherokee Street, “presumably to provide an outdoor patio or plaza environment,” officials said.

A representative for McWirter Realty was not immediately available for comment.

A map from the rezoning application by McWirther Realty for a 8,718-square-foot building by WellStar Kennestone Hospital. McWirter told the council it wants to put a Panera Bread Co. in the building.

Credit: City of Marietta

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Credit: City of Marietta

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