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), a loading dock, a groundwater well, septic system and a 60,000-gallon steel water tank.

Applicant representatives described the planned product and operations. Yoojung Kim, representing the applicant, said the company plans to manufacture oral dissolving film (ODF) dietary supplements and summarized ODF as "a thin, edible strips that dissolve quickly in the mouth," intended as a convenience dose form for people who cannot easily swallow tablets. Joseph Vaughn, identified as the company's quality manager, said the applicant has been selling some products online and described early sales trends and testing carried out at the Lakeport facility.

Staff and the applicant told commissioners no new construction or ground‑disturbing activity is planned. The staff report and presentation said the parcel is equipped with paved access, stormwater drainage, and sewer systems and that the county-maintained roads meet emergency access standards. County staff recommended a condition requiring maintenance of defensible space in compliance with Public Resources Code provisions and noted the site would maintain at least 100 feet of defensible space around the facility.

Environmental review and agency comments were discussed. Staff said a well pump test had been submitted to Environmental Health on Aug. 27, 2025, and relayed Environmental Health's statement that it does not regulate water use and would become involved only if food service were proposed; the department's director also said supplements are not under Environmental Health's purview. Staff reported two tribal responses (Hebematilpomo of Upper Lake Tribe and Yochitihi Winton Nation, the latter deferring to the Big Valley Tribe) and noted no correspondence had been received from the Big Valley Tribe at the time of the hearing.

Public comment included support from a neighboring property owner and local resident Nancy Risika, who urged redevelopment and local jobs; resident Margo Kambara urged denial and argued the CEQA exemption did not apply, citing concerns about water, wildfire risk, traffic and area plans. Commissioners and staff addressed those concerns during the hearing; staff said it had reviewed CEQA applicability, including the statutory notice and initial study checklists, and concluded the Class 1 exemption was appropriate under the facts in the staff report.

Votes at a glance — Oct. 23, 2025: the commission voted to (1) find the project categorically exempt from CEQA under CCR title 14, section 15301 (Class 1) and (2) approve Major Use Permit PL2548 / UP2503 for Ester Formula USA Corporation (4615 WorkRight Circle). Both motions carried on voice vote with three commissioners voting in favor, none opposed.

The permit includes conditions of approval listed in the staff report, including limits on delivery hours, requirements for county and state permitting for water or public‑health‑related approvals if needed, and continued compliance with site and environmental conditions. The commission noted a seven-calendar-day appeal period to the Board of Supervisors and that any appeal must be filed with required forms and fees within that period.

The planning commission meeting record shows the applicant expects to create up to seven additional full‑time positions (increasing from 13 previously approved employees to 20) and estimates annual processing water use of 67,243 gallons based on 15 gallons per employee per day across operating days. Commissioners emphasized that the project repurposes an existing industrial building and that no new footprint expansion is proposed.