Council approves use permit to convert former child-care building into three apartments on Carl Albert Parkway

McAlester — The city council approved a use permit after review to allow conversion of the former child-care facility at 439 West Carl Albert Parkway into three multifamily apartments.

Planning staff said the site, currently zoned C-4 (restricted commercial), previously operated as a child-care learning center and had been vacant since about April 2024. The new owner proposes three apartments: two one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. Planning staff told the council the Planning Commission, at its July 15 meeting, recommended approval and that the resolution before council includes required screening, landscaping, lighting and parking stipulations to meet section 62-263 of the municipal code.

Unit sizes listed in the application are: first-floor Apartment 1 — 882 square feet (one bedroom, one bath); Apartment 2 — 623 square feet (one bedroom, one bath); second-floor Apartment 3 — 1,148 square feet (two bedroom, two bath). Staff said the conversion would require building permits and code review to ensure stairways, emergency exits and other code elements are brought into compliance.

Councilor Roden moved to approve the use permit after review; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call.

Staff said the resolution ties site improvements and ongoing conditions to the property so the requirements remain with the site if ownership changes. The council’s action was limited to zoning approval; any building-permit work must still meet applicable codes.