Fairfax County planners want to know what you know — or at least think — about Reston.
As the process for Phase 2 of the changes to the Reston Master Plan gets underway, think about these things: Where is the most beautiful building here? The place you take out-of-towners? The place where you are most likely to hit a pedestrian? The place most deserving of a bulldozer?
Those questions were posed as part of a community open house at United Christian Parish last month. All of the display boards, including neighborhood and village center profiles, design principles and Phase 2 goals, are now available online.
After more than four years of work, the Reston Master Plan Special Study earlier this year finished Phase 1, in which it formulated a vision for future development around Reston’s three future transit stations.
Phase 2 will look at the areas around Reston’s Village Centers. As Reston embarks on its second 50 years, there needs to be a plan in place for redevelopment, whether that happens next year or in 30 years, says Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins.Â
Phase 2 will also be done under Fairfax County’s new “Fairfax Forward” method of comprehensive plan review, which will rely on greater community engagement.
“Whether we develop today or in the future, we need to determine what the county’s role will be in that plan and what the plan should be,” Hudgins says. “Phase 1 changed the rules. Here, we are not changing the rules.”
Fairfax County officials say the the current comprehensive plan, last updated in 1989, requires revision because Reston no longer has a master developer to update the plan for Reston; the plan for Reston has outdated elements; and with population expected to grow with the arrival of Metro this summer, Reston is evolving as a community.
Hudgins said neighborhoods will largely remain untouched. The general plan is to preserve existing development but institute some guidelines in case of future development opportunities.
Lake Anne Plaza previously underwent comprehensive plan changes and is undergoing a separate revitalization process.
The online submission period for land use proposals is open through Friday, July 11. Online submission for community comments is also now open and will remain open until the Board of Supervisors hearing expected next spring.
Tentative Phase 2 Timeline:
September 2014 — County will formulate “strawman” proposals on neighborhoods and village centers and present to residents in community meetings
October 2014 — January 2015 — Community review and comment; possible additional community meetings
February 2015 — Publish comprehensive text and staff report
April 2015 — Fairfax County Planning Commission Public Hearing
June 2015 — Board of Supervisors Public Hearing
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