SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO -- Opponents of a Planned Parenthood clinic have asked a judge to overturn South San Francisco's decision to allow the project to proceed, citing failures to follow California's environmental laws.

In an appeal filed Tuesday in San Mateo County Superior Court, a group calling itself Respect Life South San Francisco argues the city was wrong when it determined the project wouldn't have significant effects on the town.

The group's attorney, Gregory Weiler, wrote that the proposed clinic at 435 Grand Ave. will have major impacts on parking, traffic and "public safety" due to anti-abortion protests at the clinic.

Weiler is seeking to void the City Council's August decision to allow the project to proceed because of the alleged faulty environmental review. It wasn't clear when a judge might take action.

South San Francisco's city attorney couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

The proposed clinic has prompted a pitched debate between supporters, who argue it would offer sorely needed medical services for lower-income families concentrated in northern San Mateo County, and opponents who said﻿ it would provide abortions and drive customers away from nearby businesses.

The appeals stems out of the City Council's denial Aug. 28 of Respect Life's appeal of the clinic's approval.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte says it plans to offer a variety of health services there such as breast cancer exams as well as sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment. The group says surgically performed abortions cannot be offered at that location because it doesn't conform to state requirements. However, the clinic might offer drugs to terminate pregnancies, but presently there are no plans to do so, Planned Parenthood officials have said previously.

The owner of the Grand Avenue office building where the clinic would be located said earlier that he expected it would be open by the fall.
