Planned Parenthood Mar Monte‘s plans for a new Visalia clinic were temporarily quashed amid mounting controversy from some residents.

A public hearing had been scheduled for Monday’s Visalia City Council meeting but was “continued indefinitely” at the request of Orosco Group, the project’s developer. The hearing has since been removed from the meeting agenda.

“Our intent was to lease or sell a building, not to invite a forum for a national debate about abortion to the city council of Visalia,” co-partner Patrick Orosco said.  “It has become that despite our best efforts.”

The nonprofit that provides family planning and healthcare services nationwide said it won’t give up on its search for a new Visalia home.

“We were forced to give up our sale option due to strong objection from the community,” said Lauren Babb, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood. “Our goal is to find a location to give care in Visalia, and we will continue working with community partners to make sure that happens….”

The above comes from a March 6 story in the Visalia Times Delta,