Lynchburg planners got a bird\u2019s eye view of Liberty University on Tuesday, heading up Candlers Mountain as part of a four-hour presentation on the school\u2019s expansion plans.<\/p>\n
LU is seeking to rezone 237 acres along the mountain\u2019s base as part of its goal of growing to 15,000 students within the next five years.<\/p>\n
The Lynchburg Planning Commission, which is currently reviewing the request, asked to get a first-hand look at the targeted development site as part of its deliberations.<\/p>\n
The presentation started with nearly two hours of discussion between the two sides on many of the plan\u2019s details, including traffic alleviation and environmental protection.<\/p>\n
LU administrators outlined the multi-tiered approach being taken to reduce the number of students driving to and around campus. Those included expanding the school\u2019s partnership with the public bus system, implementing a carpool program and moving forward with vehicular tunnels that will allow university-bound cars to circumvent Wards Road.<\/p>\n
That latter project will likely be complete by this time next year.<\/p>\n
The school then offered a tour of some of its project sites, including Candlers Mountain, where it hopes to build athletic fields, new dormitories and a ski slope.<\/p>\n
The project will likely be taken to at least one more work session before any recommendation is made to City Council.<\/p>\n
LU officials themselves remain in opposition to a higher standard on waterway protection proposed by city planners.<\/p>\n
The school has been asked to mitigate any waterway damage inflicted during construction by paying for equivalent improvements within the same watershed.<\/p>\n
Mitigation is a requirement of both state and federal law, but the university is not obligated to stick to the same watershed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lynchburg planners got a bird\u2019s eye view of Liberty University on Tuesday, heading up Candlers Mountain as part of a four-hour presentation on the school\u2019s…<\/p>\n