The North Little Rock City Planning Commission approved a special-use permit for an inpatient substance abuse treatment center at 4600 McCain Boulevard.

Grant Lee, the applicant, said the facility would expand existing outpatient services to include residential inpatient care: a 7-day medically supervised detox phase followed by 23 to 30 days of residential care, then partial hospitalization (a six-hour day program) and intensive outpatient programming. "All of our, our staff is medical professionals, RNs, MDs, etcetera," Lee said when describing staffing.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on security and neighborhood impacts. Lee said the property will have a secured, fenced yard and 24/7 security on premises, and stated, "We do not restrain patients. They're there upon their own wheels." He added that some patients are court ordered and, if they leave, they are expected to report back to the courts. Lee said the facility's primary demographic will be private-pay and insured patients, with many arriving by car.

Commissioner questions focused on potential effects on nearby businesses and public spaces, including the nearby Walmart parking area and existing issues with people living on the street in that corridor. Commissioners discussed but did not adopt a special condition specifically crafted to address neighborhood concerns; staff noted conditions can be applied to special uses and suggested the commission can attach conditions tailored to protect the surrounding area.

The commission approved the special use on roll call and advised the applicant to consult with planning staff about next steps and any conditions tied to the permit.