Reston National Golf Course Saga Returns to Court Friday

Advocacy group Rescue Reston, Reston Association and other parties concerned about the future of Reston National Golf Course will head to Fairfax County Circuit Court for a hearing this Friday at 2 p.m.

It’s the next step in a years-long battle over whether the 166-acre public course is open and recreational space or can be developed as residential by owners RN Golf Management.

Here’s the backstory:

In 2012, the owners of Reston National Golf Course asked Fairfax County if the course at Sunrise Valley and Colts Neck Road could be considered residential. Fairfax County Planning and Zoning said no, it’s open and recreational space. After several postponements, RN Golf filed an appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).

In January, the Board of Zoning Appeals heard arguments from both sides. The BZA ruled in April that the owners could redevelop without getting a comprehensive amendment, which could ease the path to redevelopment of the land.

There have never been any specific plans filed for the golf course’s future — and just because they don’t have to get a comprehensive plan amendment does not mean that whatever is in store would get approval from the Fairfax County Planning Commission, the county board of supervisors or Reston Association.

The golf course site is also a wildlife habitat, as well as a serene backdrop for hundreds of homeowners whose properties overlook or back to the rolling greens and wooded trails.

But parts of the course are less than a half-mile from Metro’s Wiehle-Reston East station, which makes it a prime space for redevelopment in a rapidly changing Reston.

Says Rescue Reston:  “The outcome of this hearing will affect all properties abutting or near the golf course. Home and business owners stand to lose scenic views, privacy and substantial value and will face years of construction trucks, dirt and noise in their backyards, and worsening congestion on local roads. Our community may lose 166 acres of wildlife habitat and scenic beauty. All of Reston faces the loss of control over its future.”

Rescue Reston says if the judge rules in their favor Friday, RN Golf, a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual Insurance, “will have a much harder time achieving its goal of transforming this treasured open space into anything other than recreational open space.”

Land use attorneys not affiliated with the case say this type of hearing is standard procedure on the way to scheduling more court dates and that this issue could go all the way to the Virginia Supreme Court eventually.

Read the most recent filings on the part of the petitioners on Rescue Reston’s website.