CANTON — A historic home in Canton could get a new life as part of a redevelopment into duplexes.

The Canton Planning Commission has recommended approval of a rezoning request to build duplexes on the property where the home is situated.

The request from Wes Latimer on behalf of Darrell and Debbie Ingram, Daniel and Kathleen Harrison and Shipp and Frances Cain to rezone 2.15 acres at 630, 650 and 690 Marietta Road from office professional to R-21 two-family residential to accommodate attached duplexes.

The Canton City Council will review the request during its meeting on May 3 and consider approval during its May 17 meeting.

The planning commission recommended approval based on two conditions: that the existing Kennett House is retained on the property and it historical appearance is maintained; and that fencing and Leyland cypress trees are installed along the rear property line.

The house was built in the 1840s, which makes it one of the oldest homes in the Canton area.

Planning Commission Chair Pat Gold said the applicants were already planning to utilize the house on the property, and the commission wanted to put their recommendation into writing.

“There are so many historic homes that have been removed,” she said. “We wanted to make sure another one isn’t gone.”

The home was once lauded for its architectural standards, but in recent years has deteriorated, according to documents at the Cherokee County Historical Society.

The house was built by Thomas Neal White, who was one of Canton’s early settlers from the piedmont area of South Carolina.

White was a friend of Gov. Joseph E. Brown of Canton, and accompanied him as his secretary when he moved from Canton to Milledgeville, the state capital at the time.

White volunteered for military service during the Civil War and was killed in the Battle of Sharpsburg in September 1862.

The home then became the property of the Kennett family and became known locally as the Kennett House.

Planning Commission member Bill Magruder added he hopes the council will go along with its recommendations.

“We’ve lost too many important, historical homes in Canton,” he said.