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Longwood commissioners agree to consider exception so Sunshine Pharmacy can open near 1792
Summary
Sunshine Pharmacy owner asked the commission to allow a new Longwood location; commissioners directed staff to prepare an agenda item to consider a special exception to a proximity rule that currently treats pharmacies like marijuana dispensaries.
Jenny Soody, owner of Sunshine Pharmacy of Sanford and Casselberry, asked the Longwood City Commission on March 17 to allow her business to open a new location near 1792 West State Road 434 in Longwood.
Soody said the pharmacy’s current Casselberry location has poor access and signage and has not been profitable. “We are very serious in what we do, and we are involved in the community,” she told the commission during public input.
Commissioners discussed the request during mayor and commissioner reports. Commissioner Tony Boney (District 2) said pharmacies were swept into an earlier ordinance intended to limit proximity of marijuana-related businesses and that the result has unintentionally prevented legitimate pharmacies from opening near restricted uses. “When that commission requested that there be some restrictions based on proximity or distance, what got swept into that automatically regardless of how we want to do was pharmacies. Pharmacies were automatically included,” Boney said.
Boney asked staff to bring back an agenda item to consider a special exception for Sunshine Pharmacy. Mayor Matthew McMillan said he had no objection to staff preparing such an item. Commissioner Morgan and other commissioners expressed support for pursuing a staff report and possible exemption. Morgan defended Sunshine Pharmacy’s community role and described the business as an important local provider of addiction‑treatment prescriptions and other services.
No formal motion or vote was recorded to approve an exception at the March 17 meeting. Instead, the commission directed staff to research options and return with an agenda item explaining what action would be required to allow Sunshine Pharmacy to open at the proposed Longwood location.
The commission did not record or identify a specific ordinance number in the meeting; Boney and other commissioners referred generally to the city’s prior ordinance that limits certain uses by proximity. Staff and commissioners said further legal and zoning work will be necessary before the city can authorize any exception.
Next steps: staff will prepare a formal agenda item explaining the legal basis for an exception, any required ordinance amendment or variance process, and recommended conditions for the commission’s consideration.
