Lake County planning panel approves use permit for dietary-supplement manufacturer at WorkRight Circle

The Lake County Planning Commission approved a major use permit on Oct. 23 allowing Ester Formula USA Corporation to convert an existing facility at 4615 WorkRight Circle in Lakeport from commercial cannabis manufacturing to production, processing and distribution of dietary supplements.

Staff recommended — and the commission found — that the project is categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act, citing California Code of Regulations, title 14, division 6, chapter 3, article 19, section 15301 (Class 1, existing facilities). The commission then approved Major Use Permit PL2548 / UP2503 subject to the conditions in the staff report.

The permit covers a roughly four-acre parcel located near Lampson Field Airport in the Kelseyville area plan and in the county's Planned Development Commercial (PDC) zoning. Mary Clabaughn, senior planner, described the request as "a major use permit for processing, manufacturing, and distribution of dietary supplements" and noted the facility is an existing 67,243-square-foot building that will not expand its footprint. She said the site currently has a 93-space parking lot (including four accessible spaces),…