Church Seeks To Purchase Reston Association Common Area Land

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter- Day Saints has approached Reston Association about purchasing three parcels of land on which to build a new church.

The land — at 2639, 2641 and 2643 Fox Mill Rd. — is undeveloped , wooded common area owned by RA since the late 1960s and mid 1970s.

The RA deed states that the Board of Directors can  “ … dedicate, convey, abandon, encumber, partition, or mortgage Common Area, subject to the prior approval of the Board of Directors and more than a two-thirds vote, pursuant to the provisions of Deed Section III.4, of Category A and B Members in a referendum in which at least thirty percent of such Members participate.”

RA President Ken Knueven and CEO Cate Fulkerson were  approached by a real estate broker representing the church several months ago.

“The Church has a current location at the intersection of Fairfax County Parkway and Lake Newport Road, But has outgrown the size of this building and needs an additional location,” the letter reads. “After combing through all the areas available …  I have come across three lots on the north side of Fox Mill Road which according to Fairfax County Tax Records are owned by Reston Association. There is one other parcel immediately to the north west, 2637 Fox Mill Road, Reston, Lot 11B, Sec 4A, that would also be desirable, but apparently has been sold.”

The three lots, which are different sizes, add up to 143,608 square feet or about 3.3 acres. They are valued in the $400,000-$500,00 range, according to Fairfax County land records.

RA agreed to give the broker, Doug Hervey of Keller Williams Realty, time to offer more details at a board planning meeting. He has canceled twice, however.