The North Little Rock City Planning Commission approved a special-use permit allowing Immuno Research to station a mobile research unit in the parking lot of an existing office development in a C-3 zoning district.

Daria Bracy, a research nurse representing Immuno Research, told the commission the mobile unit brings clinical research and occasional free health clinics to underserved communities and typically operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. She said the unit is usually parked in a setback corner of a large lot and typically occupies about five parking spaces.

Bracy described expected participant volumes and logistics: "We're planning 10 to 25" clients per day and for individual studies her team plans 20 to 50 or sometimes up to hundreds of volunteers, depending on recruitment. She told the commission the unit is self-contained for water and wastewater handling through outside vendors, receives periodic servicing for sanitation, and ships biohazard waste with a licensed contractor.

Commissioners asked about parking, emergency access and whether the unit would block fire apparatus; staff and commissioners confirmed the unit's proposed location is set back and that the review will ensure it does not block emergency access. The design review committee and planning staff recommended approval after applicants agreed to the listed conditions; the commission then voted in favor on roll call.

Staff directed the applicant to consult with planning staff about the approved location and any operational conditions. Planning staff also noted that if the operator anticipates weekend hours in future, they should request them now to avoid returning for an amendment.

The commission's approval allows Immuno Research to proceed with the mobile-unit operation subject to any standard conditions the planning department attaches to special uses.