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Council approves rezoning, easements, subdivision plat and zoning-code clarifications
Summary
McAlester approved a rezoning from R1A to C5 for a Wallace Family parcel, accepted multiple utility and road easements for the Wallace property, adopted an administrative path for minor variances, loosened minimum block-area requirements for the H‑1 medical district, and approved the final plat for Deer Ridge subdivision.
At its May 20 meeting McAlester’s City Council approved a set of planning- and zoning-related items recommended by the Planning Commission.
Rezoning and easements: The council approved rezoning a 1.46-acre tract owned by Wallace Family Properties from R1A (single-family) to C5 (highway commercial) to align that parcel with surrounding C5 zoning. Staff noted the rezoning excludes a nearby residence that was sold after the applicant’s abstractor report; the planning process corrected the legal description to avoid rezoning the occupied house parcel. The council also accepted a group of road and utility easements affecting Lots 76 and 77 to facilitate future development; the easement acceptance is an initial acceptance step and staff said easements will be opened and made public once construction and lot-line work finish.
Minor-variance administrative review: Council adopted an ordinance amending section 62-97 to allow administrative review for limited minor variances (for small deviations where written findings of fact can be made) instead of requiring Planning Commission or Board of Adjustment hearings. Staff said the change is intended to promote rehabilitation and reuse of existing buildings by reducing procedural burden for very small deviations.
H-1 district change: The council approved lowering the minimum block-area requirement for the H‑1 health facilities district from 50,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet, aligning McAlester’s code with typical modern practice and enabling smaller medical facilities or clinics where appropriate.
Deer Ridge final plat: The council approved the final plat for Deer Ridge Subdivision, creating nine residential lots (plus one larger lot); the planning commission previously recommended approval.
Votes were by roll call for each item; planning staff and Planning Commission recommendations were cited during discussion.
