The Henrietta Town Board denied an application for a permit to create a new Planned Parenthood within the town on Wednesday night.
The board meeting was packed with residents representing both sides of the issue.
In a 3-2 vote, the board denied the permit to establish a new Planned Parenthood location in a plaza at 376 Jefferson Road.
Councilmembers Bolzner, Page and Bellanca voted to deny. Councilmember Sefranek and Town Supervisor Steve Schultz voted to approve. @news10nbc
— Raven Tiara Brown (@WHEC_RBrown) June 23, 2022
Planned Parenthood of Central and Western NY expanding in anticipation of Roe V. Wade overturn (video)
Henrietta clinic would have opened by early 2023
Michelle Casey, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, said the facility would provide medication abortions up to 11 weeks and in-clinic abortion services up to 13 weeks.
Casey explained the organization originally eyed a space in Brighton for the new facility, but learned the building would have to be completely demolished and rebuilt.
Henrietta’s central location and young demographics made it the next obvious choice for a new site, said Casey.
She said the facility would have been ready by early 2023.
Governor Hochul signs six-bill abortion rights package
Planned Parenthood expanding services in Central and Western NY
The proposed Henrietta facility came as part of Planned Parenthood’s vow to expand in New York and offer services to out-of-staters.
“It is a human,” said pro-life resident Nathanael Woodworth, according to News10 NBC. “It’s not a cluster of cells and it’s terrifying. Honestly, if you could hear the baby scream, I’m sure everybody hands down, would stop this process. It’s a life.”
A Supreme Court draft majority opinion leaked to Politico in May showed the court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed abortion rights at the federal level.
In a recent interview with FingerLakes1.com, Casey said, “We’ve expanded facilities and really looked at where they’re located, trying to make sure that our local community can really have access, and for people who need to travel that it’s on accessible transportation lines.”
The court’s decision on the future of abortion rights could come at any time.
NY officials, activists react to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that suggests Roe v. Wade will be overturned
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