The Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals last night voted 4-0 to allow Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge, located on Hydraulic Road, to remain open. The board also voted 3-1 to keep the facility's zoning description and location the same, according to David Nova, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge.
"Not only did the Board of Zoning Appeals confirm that Planned Parenthood belongs on Hydraulic Road, the community affirmed the importance of Planned Parenthood's mission and services," Nova said after the verdict was reached last night.
Hundreds of people gathered at the County Office Building yesterday afternoon to support and to protest local residents' case against the operation of the Planned Parenthood facility in the Garden Court neighborhood on Hydraulic Road.
Six residents sued the County, citing that the facility was inappropriately classified as an office building when it performs medical procedures and operates similarly to a hospital.
At the hearing, residents from the Garden Court neighborhood expressed concern over lower property values and disturbances including increased traffic volume and protests.
Christy Elliott, University First Right vice president, attended the hearing in support of the residents' case against the County. Elliott said she did not think the neighborhood would have approved the facility's location if residents had been informed that it would be a hospital and not an office.
"No one ever approved the current use of the office space," Elliott said. "There is no reason that Planned Parenthood should be the exception to the law."
Marnie Deaton, a board member from the Central Virginia Family Forum, an organization that is assisting the residents' case, distributed stickers that said "The Use Has Changed."
"We wanted to show support to the residents that had been victims of poor zoning practices," Deaton said.
Deaton said some citizens are concerned because of the facility's proximity to Charlottesville High School and family-owned townhouses.
"It is not an accident that they moved it next to a high school," Deaton said. "The average person had no idea."
The County Office Building's Lane Auditorium was filled to capacity an hour before the start of the hearing. Police officers forced attendees to move outside, citing fire code violations caused by the large number of people in the lobby.
According to Nova, 961 people wore "I Support Planned Parenthood" stickers and others held supportive signs.
Holly Hatcher, director of statewide organizing for Planned Parenthood Advocates for Virginia, informally spoke before supporters outside the building. Meanwhile, others protesting the facility's location gathered to pray in a circle.
"We have to speak with one voice," Hatcher said.
According to Hatcher, the County could have forced the facility to close its doors immediately.
Kim Goumenis, University Voices for Planned Parenthood president, said the facility is appropriately classified by the County as a "medical office" and not a hospital.
"It is important that students and community members have access to safe medical services and accurate educational information," Goumenis said.
Read More
Spanberger shares hope of sweeping victory to Albemarle Democrats
By Ford McCracken | 1 hours agoSpanberger will face Republican Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears Nov. 4 for a chance to become the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first female governor.
Students say package deliveries are unpredictable on 14th Street
By Lauren Seeliger | 21 hours agoStudents say delivery drivers are careless when placing packages on doorsteps, sometimes resulting in delivery to an entirely wrong building.
From the Archives: Celebration and Reflection (4/28 - 5/4)
By Clara Franklin and Annabelle Nee | YesterdayFrom The Purple Shadows breaking into the Dean of Students’s office to multiple student athletes accused of honor code violations, the graduating class’s four years were a wild ride.
