Planning Commission recommends special land use for pharmacy at 3462 Greenfield Road

The Berkeley Planning Commission on Sept. 23, 2025, voted unanimously to recommend that City Council approve a special land use allowing a pharmacy to occupy a 600-square-foot suite at 3462 Greenfield Road.

The application, listed as PSU 04253462, would place a community pharmacy in a newly constructed office building; the applicant said the use would not include a drive-through and would rely primarily on delivery service. The commission’s motion — approved 7-0 — found the proposed use met the special land use standards, including compatibility with surrounding uses, the master plan and local parking and stormwater provisions, and forwarded the recommendation to City Council for final action.

Planning staff described the request as “straightforward,” noting the building was reviewed and approved previously as a mix of medical and general office uses under the old zoning ordinance. Staff said those earlier approvals made many site features (landscaping, lighting, stormwater detention and setbacks) effectively grandfathered, while retail uses such as a pharmacy require special land use review under the current zoning code because they are not the same as the previously authorized office or medical office uses.

Akshay Patel, identified as the CEO of Roan Health and Ivera Health and the applicant, told the commission his operation emphasizes community services and delivery. “We would offer a lot of great services to the residents, including delivery,” Patel said. He said a typical staffed configuration at the Greenfield location would include one pharmacist as manager and two to three pharmacy technicians.

Dan Winter, speaking on behalf of the property owner/developer, said the building at 3462 Greenfield is about half occupied by low-intensity tenants (massage therapist, nurse practitioner, general office and an accounting office) and that the pharmacy would occupy one of the 600-square-foot units. Winter said the pharmacy’s reliance on a single batch delivery pick‑up would limit impacts to on-site parking and curbside activity: “I don’t see any negative impact for parking,” he said.

Planning staff confirmed the site’s parking was calculated under the previous, higher parking standards and that no physical changes to parking, landscaping or stormwater facilities are proposed. Commissioners discussed the standard factors for special land use approval — compatibility with adjacent uses and the master plan, traffic and circulation, nuisance impacts and environmental effects — and concluded the pharmacy would have similar or lesser impacts than a small office tenant previously approved for the site. Commissioners also noted the lack of a drive-through and limited hours proposed: the applicant estimated typical hours would be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturday openings if needed.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the special land use application (PSU 04253462 for 3462 Greenfield Road) to City Council, finding it met the special land use standards for compatibility, traffic, public services, zoning compliance and environmental impact. The commission voted by roll call: Commissioner Dahlen — yes; Commissioner Stapp — yes; Commissioner Hamami — yes; Commissioner Arnsman — yes; Commissioner Woods — yes; Commissioner Bartis — yes; Chair Kempner — yes. The motion passed 7-0.

The commission’s action is a recommendation only; final approval and any conditions or appeals will be handled by City Council when the item is scheduled there.

Votes at a glance PSU 04253462 (3462 Greenfield Road) — Recommendation to City Council to approve special land use allowing pharmacy use in a 600-square-foot suite. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no. Outcome: recommendation approved and referred to City Council.