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Zoning Commission approves Georgetown’s plan to add lights to Shaw Field
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Summary
On Jan. 16, 2025, the D.C. Zoning Commission approved Z.C. Case No. 16-18H, allowing Georgetown University to install six downward-directed field lights at Shaw Field, with conditions and support from the Office of Planning and two ANCs; the vote was 5-0-0.
The District of Columbia Zoning Commission on Jan. 16, 2025, voted 5-0-0 to approve Zoning Commission Case No. 16-18H, a campus plan modification permitting Georgetown University to install six new light poles at Shaw Field (Square 1321, Lot 0833; listed in the record as 37100 O Street Northwest).
The decision follows an applicant presentation, reports from the Office of Planning and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and testimony that the proposed lighting would be limited to Georgetown’s men’s and women’s soccer programs. The commission also approved a summary order and directed staff to prepare a draft order, which the applicant said it expected to receive within about two weeks.
David Abedable, land-use counsel for Georgetown University, told the commission the university sought the lights to “support the continued competitiveness of the women's and men's soccer programs.” He said the proposal adds six poles using “the latest technology in lights that focus the light downward and minimize any spillover beyond the immediate field into the adjacent neighborhoods or adjacent parkland.” Abedable said the record includes light- and noise-impact studies and that the university had discussed the project with the National Park Service and nearby residents.
Shepherd Beeman of the Office of Planning said, “OP recommends approval of zoning case 16-18H for the proposed field lighting for Shaw Field” and stood on the written OP report in the record. Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3D (represented in the hearing by Vice Chair Duncan) also put its support on the record, with Duncan saying ANC 3D “is in support of the lights at Shaw Field” and that Georgetown had demonstrated the lights would not negatively affect neighboring properties. ANC 2E’s report in the record (Exhibit 6) shows a 6-0 vote in support.
There was no public opposition signed up to testify during the hearing. The applicant team — which included Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed and the teams’ coaches — told the commission the lights would be used only for the men’s and women’s soccer teams and that operational measures had been agreed with residents to manage start and end times. Reed said the project was “an important project for our student athletes and our two elite soccer programs” and emphasized the university’s intent to be “good neighbors.”
The commission accepted Jamie Milunovich as a proffered expert in transportation and proceeded to a motion. After a motion to approve (mover and seconder not specified on the record), the commission conducted a roll-call vote: Commissioners Wright, Miller, Hood, Imamura and Stivam voted yes. The hearing record indicates the commission approved final action and agreed to issue a summary order.
The commission noted administrative items at the close of the hearing, including that a draft order was expected from the applicant’s counsel and that the commission’s next session would be Jan. 23, 2025. No amendments to the proposal or conditions beyond those discussed in the record were announced during the hearing.
Votes at a glance
• Zoning Commission Case No. 16-18H — Georgetown University campus plan modification for addition of field lights to Shaw Field (Square 1321, Lot 0833; address listed in the record as 37100 O Street Northwest): Motion to approve passed 5-0-0; motion text included in the record and a summary order was approved.Glossary/Notes: "Summary order" refers to the commission's approval to issue a final order without a full draft order being circulated first; the applicant indicated they expected a draft order within approximately two weeks.
