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Community discontent deep on presence of Planned Parenthood

University students are stepping off Grounds and into the region to oppose the presence of the Planned Parenthood facility on Hydraulic Rd.

The facility, which offers abortion and adoption services and plans to offer pre-natal care by 2005, opened its doors Aug. 3, but its existence has been contentious since last spring.

Members of First Right, an anti-abortion student group, took part in a Saturday protest outside the grand opening of the Planned Parenthood facility.

The protest drew about 160 people from the community toting anti-Planned Parenthood signs. The demonstration elicited honks from passing cars, First Right President Kia Lam said.

Albemarle County resident Renee Townsend filed an appeal with the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals Aug. 27.

Townsend's appeal claims Planned Parenthood does not meet the office use stated in the county zoning definitions.

Others in the community, including the Virginia Family Forum and First Right, are supporting Townsend's appeal.

"Looking at what Planned Parenthood is doing, they feel it should be in a zoning category more like a hospital," Albemarle County spokesperson Lee Catlin said. "They believe what happens at Planned Parenthood is beyond what should be permitted in a professional office."

The Board will hold a public hearing Nov. 9 to consider Townsend's appeal. First Right members said they plan to attend.

"In the past we've always attended Board of Supervisors meetings to express our concern about Planned Parenthood," Lam said. "Basically, their license to operate is invalid."

The Board will limit its consideration of Townsend's appeal to the issue of the facility's zoning.

"The more political arguments are not really a part of what the Board is considering here," Catlin said. "Really, we are just determining if what they do is consistent with professional use."

Following the Nov. 9 meeting, there is no timeline as to when the Board will make its decision.

But no matter what the Board's decision, the issue will not likely die, Catlin said.

"It is very likely to be appealed again, no matter what the decision," Catlin said. "Both sides will want to protect their interests, and then it will go to circuit court. There is no automatic process that will kick in once the Board makes its decision."

Last year, Student Health saw 20 unplanned pregnancies, significantly down from 200 per year in the early 1980s.

Student Health notifies students dealing with pregnancy of options in the area, including the services Planned Parenthood provides. Besides the Planned Parenthood facility on Hydraulic, there is one other abortion clinic in Charlottesville. The University Hospital also performs abortions, although the cost is significantly higher.

The challenges Planned Parenthood is facing from the community could have an impact on University students seeking its services, especially if it is not permitted to continue normal operation, said Christine Peterson, director of gynecology at Student Health.

"It would affect those students who would have wanted to go there," Peterson said. "It's a huge impact on a small number of students."

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