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Commissioners discussed concessions the University agreed to make in order to increase building density in the core of campus. The group held five hearings in fall 2006 to sift through the 2006-2025 Campus Plan, and originally set to start the approval process at the meeting, which brought about 50 students downtown.
But with apprehension arising over particulars of the development plan, commissioners said they would announce a decision Feb. 5, after receiving more specific and enforceable commitments from the University.
"Sometimes we hold off on proposed action until we get additional information ... I just want the University to know how serious we are about getting these (commitments) nailed down," Zoning Commission Chairwoman Carol Mitten said.
GW has had a 10-year Campus Plan in place since 2001, which is focused on moving undergraduate students closer to the center of campus and in school-owned housing. In order to further develop the University and its infrastructure while staying within its campus boundaries, GW set out in 2005 to create a new Campus Plan.
The 20-year Campus Plan calls for expansion of Gelman Library, several residence halls and the Marvin Center. The proposal also includes construction of a new science facility in place of the parking garage on 22nd and I streets and a cancer center near the hospital.
The Zoning Commission will allow additional construction, if the University offers benefits to the community to offset breaking development restrictions stipulated in the existing 10-year plan.
Mitten said she agreed with the school's plan to "grow up (in height), not out (in area)" to improve the stature and academic quality of GW.
