The Alexandria City Council on May 17 approved a development special‑use permit to demolish and rebuild George Mason Elementary School as a two‑story facility, expanding capacity and modernizing classrooms while drawing sustained criticism from residents over tree loss, fence placement and parking.

Supporters said the replacement school is part of a long‑planned capital investment to provide updated learning spaces, modern building systems and stormwater improvements. Planning staff told the council the proposal would exceed the city’s phosphorus‑reduction requirements, add on‑site bioretention, and include a net‑zero‑ready building design and expanded indoor and outdoor recreational amenities.

Opponents said the plan removes dozens of mature trees and will shrink a rare open grass space behind the school. “These old trees are crucial for the local ecosystem,” resident Harry Wilmer told the council, and he urged the city to preserve more of the canopy. Other neighbors and community groups also pressed for a lower, more limited fence and for alternatives to full‑site fencing so the neighborhood retains easier access to the park‑like area outside school hours.

Council members debated the tradeoffs between preserving open space and meeting ACPS program and safety requirements. ACPS said a fenced and managed field is necessary to supervise students during the school day and to meet safety guidance; staff also said the two‑story design increases rooftop area for solar panels and ease of internal circulation. Planning staff explained some tree removals were tied to stormwater facilities, parking and building footprint; staff and ACPS agreed an alternate, less invasive pathway design could save roughly a dozen otherwise healthy trees.

To reconcile opposing priorities, council approved the special‑use permit with conditions directing staff and the applicant to: (1) revert a prior commission edit to the staff‑recommended language on permit conditions; (2) move the proposed fence line to the border between the playground and the field rather than around the entire rear open area; and (3) work with ACPS to explore alternate pathway and site‑layout options intended to preserve as many healthy, non‑invasive trees as possible. The council also directed staff to ensure a clear single on‑site contact for neighbors and to pursue coordination with the adjacent Westminster Presbyterian Church for additional on‑site parking during school hours.

The council vote was unanimous, 7–0, after the mayor recused herself from unrelated items earlier in the meeting. Implementation now moves to the final site plan and permitting phases; ACPS and city staff said they will continue community outreach during those design details.

Residents who opposed the project said they will track the final site review for the pathway and tree‑preservation work. ACPS representatives said they will coordinate planting and stormwater work to meet city landscape requirements and to replant canopy where feasible.