Pro-life clinic may sue after Raleigh zoning rejection
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- An anti-abortion clinic is considering legal action after the Raleigh City Council denied a rezoning request Tuesday night.
A Hand of Hope, a Christian-based pregnancy resource center, wants to open up at 1604 Jones Franklin Road. next to A Preferred Women's Health Center that performs abortions.
"We have a team of attorneys who are looking into what our legal options are at this point," said A Hand of Hope's executive director Tonya Baker Nelson.
READ MORE: RALEIGH DENIES ANTI-ABORTION GROUP'S REQUEST TO REZONE
City councilors said they rejected the request because it did not comply with Raleigh's long-term comprehensive zoning plan set to expire in 2030.
The property, purchased by A Hand of Hope in January, is designated strictly for residential use.
"The rezoning of this one singular parcel within a larger area designated for office use will have detrimental impacts on remaining resident properties," said council member Kay Crowder.
"I think it was very, very unfair in the sense that they used a very business and legalistic way to go at this. I doubt that was how they approved the abortion clinic to go there," said Brandi Kraus, a supporter of A Hand of Hope who attended Tuesday night's meeting.
The issue has divided neighbors for weeks.
Some feared the move could increase violence in an area already known for frequent protests.
"Including myself there have been physical attacks, there have been verbal threats, right of way traffic issues, so many things that have provided such a big amount of danger," said Calla Hales, office administrator of A Preferred Women's Health Center.
Nelson said her clinic does not condone protesting.
"We're firmly convinced that this is not the end, and we have a lot of people on our side to see how can we fix this. How are we able to occupy the space?" she said.
ORIGINAL STORY: RALEIGH ROAD IS A NEW BATTLEGROUND IN ABORTION DEBATE
