The Richmond judge assigned to hear a lawsuit to stop the sale of city property to the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood has recused herself.
Richmond Circuit Court Judge Jacqueline S. McClenney has been replaced by Tracy W. J. Thorne-Begland.
It’s unclear why McClenney recused herself. But public records show she’s associated with property near the Northside parcel on Chamberlayne Avenue where Planned Parenthood aims to build a new health center — if the sale goes through.
On July 22, Richmond City Council approved the use of the surplus building for a Planned Parenthood center over the objections of some residents.
Councilors unanimously voted to transfer the site to VLPP for a “nominal consideration” of $10.
The faith-based Family Foundation of Virginia filed a lawsuit Aug. 15 to stop the sale. The complaint argues that despite the property being valuable and not blighted, the city did not did not allow others to make offers on the property at market value. It was assessed by the city at $1,246,000 in January.
Sharon Ebert, Richmond's deputy chief administrative officer, said Planned Parenthood made an unsolicited offer on the land, which is allowed under city code.
VLPP spokesperson RaeAnn Pickett previously said there was not yet timeline for the clinic.
She added that patients facing challenges — like poor access to transportation or financing, domestic violence or housing insecurity — would benefit from the new space.
“This is a $6 million investment that is desperately needed for that end of Chamberlayne,” Council Vice President Ann-Frances Lambert said at the time of the sale’s approval.
A hearing in the case has been scheduled for Sep. 6 at 1 p.m.
