The Current Proposal Is Flawed
 

Short Version
If an ordinance meant to keep abortion providers out of Lynchburg still leaves a path for Planned Parenthood to locate here without any oversight from City Council, then it doesn’t do what it claims...

...and I will not support it.
 

The Core Problem

The proposed ordinance exempts “family planning services” but does not define the term, and this exemption was not in the initial draft sent to us by the Virginia Family Foundation.

The Virginia Department of Health publicly classifies Planned Parenthood as a family planning provider. That creates a real risk that they could claim exemption from the ordinance altogether, bypassing Council review.
 

Why That Matters

• Zoning relies on clear definitions

• Undefined terms invite loopholes and litigation

• Ambiguity shifts decisions from elected officials to staff or courts

If Council loses oversight, the City loses control.

Intent vs. Outcome

I understand the intent behind this proposal.

Zoning must be judged by what it actually allows, not what it hopes to prevent.

An ordinance that claims to restrict abortion providers — while leaving a door open for Planned Parenthood — fails its own test.

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My Position

• State law governs when and how abortions may occur

• Local zoning governs where facilities may locate

• Local zoning should not affirmatively declare abortion to be a permitted land use

I support regulation through the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process — but only when it preserves Council oversight and closes obvious loopholes.

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A Better Approach

I’ve proposed an alternative that:
 

• Regulates outpatient hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers as a class

• Requires affirmative Council approval for any such facility

• Avoids permission-based language and definitional loopholes
   

This approach is stronger, more durable, and more honest about its outcomes.

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Bottom Line

I will not support an ordinance that:
 

• Contains undefined exemptions

• Risks allowing Planned Parenthood to locate in Lynchburg

• Removes Council oversight through ambiguity
   

If we’re going to do this, we need to do it right.

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This is an alternative proposal that does exactly what I am talking about here.

If you have any questions, please send me an email (hello@chrisfaraldi.com) .

I hope Council & the public can have a pragmatic and productive conversation about what the right path forward is.

Regards,
Chris Faraldi

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Note: Below is Page One of the Zoning Orginance that cites the exemptions discussed above, as well as the website to the Virginia Department of Health.