Campbell planning panel approves conditional-use permit allowing compounding and limited retail at Wellness Pharmacy

The Campbell Planning Commission on Feb. 24 approved a conditional use permit allowing Wellness Pharmacy to operate a pharmaceutical compounding and prescription fulfillment laboratory with limited retail sales at 750 East McClinty Lane, Suite 102.

Planning staff recommended the permit (file PLN2025172), saying the compounding and prescription fulfillment activity is principally permitted in the light-industrial zoning district, and that only the ancillary retail function triggers the commission-level conditional use review. "This application is functionally a request to have limited retail sales in association with a compounding pharmacy," planning staffer Daniel Fama said during his presentation, adding that the building’s office-front/warehouse-back configuration makes the application site-specific and appropriate for the exception.

Applicants Quang Trinh, PharmD, and Alfredo Cruz described the business model and public service goals. "We do a lot of delivery now — probably 200 packages a day — and this Campbell location will help us with shipments and local delivery with limited pickup," Trinh said, explaining that most prescriptions are mailed but local pickup and compounding services would be available. He added that the company previously compounded in another location but had to stop when state board standards tightened.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicants on parking, safety and ventilation. Fama said the McClinty Business Center offers aggregate parking that appears to exceed demand and that deliveries are routed to a separate alley. The applicants said they will not handle controlled substances, that they compound nonsterile products only, and that they plan to use a portable enclosure (a glove-box-type module) and to exhaust hoods to the roof or side as required. "We have a fume hood and access to the roof," an applicant said; the commission and staff noted that building and fire-department review during the permit/building-permit stage will govern final mechanical and ventilation work.

A member of the public urged the applicants to follow strict hazardous-waste disposal procedures and cited previous enforcement actions in other jurisdictions as a caution; the applicants said they follow disposal protocols and are subject to inspection. "We make sure that we cross our t’s and dot our i’s when it comes to the pharmacy," one applicant said.

After discussion, Commissioner Zisser moved to approve the CUP to allow establishment of the compounding and fulfillment laboratory with ancillary retail at 750 East McClinty Lane, Suite 102 (PLN2025172). The motion was seconded and carried in a roll-call vote, 6-0. Chair Davis Fields announced that commission action is final unless an appeal is filed in writing with the city clerk within 10 calendar days.

What this means: The approval allows Wellness Pharmacy to pursue building and mechanical permits needed to install compounding equipment and exhaust systems, subject to standard building, fire and health inspections and the conditions in the commission’s resolution. Any required modifications to ventilation or trash/enclosure structures would be reviewed during those subsequent permit steps.

Next steps: With the CUP granted, the applicants may submit building-permit plans for review by the city’s building and fire officials; any substantial changes will be addressed in that review and could require further permits or conditions.