On the Docket: Fall Hearings for Crescent, Fellowship House

Development projects in Reston are in a bit of a lull right now as both the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Planning Commission are off until September.

However, many of them have upcoming hearings and other important dates coming soon.

Here is a rundown of what to expect.

Lake Anne/Crescent Apartments

The revitalization plan for Crescent Apartments and the surrounding area near Lake Anne Plaza has been in the works for nearly a year. Lake Anne Development Partners were chosen by the county in summer 2013 to transform the county-owned affordable housing development.

LADP plans include replacing the aging 181-unit Crescent Apartments with slightly more affordable housing, as well as mix of townhomes and multifamily dwellings. In all, about 1,000 new residential units are planned, as well as a new retail plaza, new access points to historic Lake Anne Plaza and more than 130,000 square feet of new retail and office space.

Plans also call for housing for seniors and a boutique grocery store.

LADP’s plans will go before the Planning Commission in a public hearing Nov. 5. If the planning commission recommends approval, the plan will go to the Board of Supervisors Nov. 18. Both of those dates are subject to change.

LADP CEO David Peter says he hopes to begin construction in 2015. The revitalization is expected to be a multiyear process.

Meanwhile, LADP has reached an agreement on a land swap with Reston Association. By obtaining a one-acre plot near Lake Anne Village Center, LADP can now proceed with plans to build a 120-space parking garage.

Lake Anne Fellowship House

Novus Residences has filed with Fairfax County Proffered Condition Amendment, Development Plan Amendment and a Planned Residential Community application in order to build on the site of  Lake Anne Fellowship House at 11448 and 11450 North Shore Dr.

Plans for the six-acre site include building up to 425 dwelling units that will include a building with 140 independent living affordable units and a second building with 285 market rate multi-family dwelling units.

Current residents of Fellowship House, a residence for low-income seniors that is badly in need of renovation, will be moved to the new building.

A Planning Commission date is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2014 at 8:15 p.m., with a Board of Supervisors public hearing  scheduled for Oct. 7. Those dates are also subject to change.

Art Studio on Concord Point

The planning commission will hear a special exemption request from Mary Beth Swicord, owner of First Marks Art Studio.

Swicord has been operating the art studio from her home at 1398 Concord Point Lane for many years. Previously, the enrollment was eight students at a time. Swicord wants to increase enrollment to 18 students on Mondays and 12 from Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., and the county requires a special exemption to do that.

She is also proposing a Summer Camp, Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily, with an enrollment of 12 students.The Planning Commission public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9.

JBG/Reston Executive Center

Developer JBG previously filed a special exception to allow for the building 65,000 square feet of development to include retail sales, eating establishment, fast food restaurant and quick service food stores in the 12000 block of Sunset Hills Road

The plan calls for converting 27,850 square feet of existing office use and constructing 37,150 square feet of building additions to the existing office buildings.

The planning commission public hearing has been indefinitely deferred.

Graphic: Artist’s rendering of improved Lake Anne Plaza/file photo