The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved changes to the comprehensive plan for redevelopment at Reston’s Lake Anne.
The changes, which mostly look at densities and add continuity to the six separate Land Bays comprising the comprehensive plan.
The plan, as approved in 2013, calls for a mix of uses and intensities in designated zones surrounding Lake Anne’s original village center, but leaves the historic part of the plaza untouched.
The changes approved by the supervisors at their Tuesday meeting mainly consider densities within the various “Land Bays’ — the areas in and around Lake Anne Plaza and nearby Crescent Apartments. The interior of Lake Anne Plaza is a designated historic district and is not a part of the redevelopment, though nearby sections of the current parking lot and several buildings not connected to the interior are included.
Lake Anne Development Partners (LADP) was selected in 2013 after a Request for Proposals by the county to develop the project. The company says the changes only modify some of the density around within the various Land Units to be consistent with the design as it has evolved during the pre-planning process, but it does not actually represent any material change in the overall densities or intent of the original Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Lake Anne Village Center that was initiated in 2007 and approved in March 2009.
The plan as already approved calls for up to 1,415 dwelling units and 219,000 square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,535 dwelling units and 113,000 square feet of non-residential use under full consolidation.
Construction is expected to begin in 2015, LADP has said.
Entire staff report and land bay maps
Artist’s rendering of redeveloped Lake Anne Plaza area/Credit: Lake Anne Development Partners
Who needs a sleigh when you have Lake Anne and a barge?
Santa Claus makes his annual return to Lake Anne Plaza by boat on Saturday, Dec. 6 at noon.
St. Nick’s arrival is part of the Jingle on Lake Anne celebration, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Among the activities: strolling carolers; a petting zoo; music; wine tastings; merchant specials; children’s crafts; cookie and ornament decorating; holiday arts & crafts market, and more.
The holiday event, which is free and will be held rain or shine, is hosted by Lake Anne Merchants.
Also, stop by the Reston Community Center Lake Anne for the Gifts from the HeART Exhibition and shopping event, which will be open until 4 p.m.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday regarding changes to the comprehensive plan for redevelopment at Reston’s Lake Anne.
The plan, recommended by the Fairfax County Planning Commission last month mostly looks at densities and adds continuity to the six separate Land Bays comprising the comprehensive plan, said a spokesman for Lake Anne Development Partners, which is planning and designing the improvements around Lake Anne.
The plan, as approved in 2013, calls for a mix of uses and intensities in designated zones surrounding Lake Anne’s original village center, but leaves the historic part of the plaza untouched.
The changes to be discussed this week mainly look at densities within the various “Land Bays’ — the areas in and around Lake Anne Plaza and nearby Crescent Apartments.
Lake Anne Development Partners was selected in 2013 after a Request for Proposals by the county to develop the project. The company says the changes only modify some of the density around within the various Land Units to be consistent with the design as it has evolved during the pre-planning process, but it does not actually represent any material change in the overall densities or intent of the original Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Lake Anne Village Center that was initiated in 2007 and approved in March 2009.
The plan as already approved calls for up to 1,415 dwelling units and 219,000 square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,535 dwelling units and 113,000 square feet of non-residential use under full consolidation.
In an earlier version of the plan, the Millennium Bank Building, which currently houses the Just Cats Clinic, was scheduled for redevelopment, the Board of Supervisors documents state. In documents previewing Tuesday’s hearing, it now says the building is slated to be retained. However, under consolidation, which is what the supervisors are voting on, it is likely to be torn down to make way for a wider plaza entry to the historic part of Lake Anne Plaza.
Entire staff report and land bay maps
“The Amendment will consider changes related to recommendations on the Full Consolidation Option, redevelopment of the Millennium Bank building, heritage resources and transportation,” the Supervisors’ agenda says.
The hearing is at 5 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12055 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax. To register to speak at the public hearing, follow the instructions and link on the Board of Supervisors’ website.
Artist’s rendering of redeveloped Lake Anne Plaza area/Credit: Lake Anne Development Partners
The official Reston Farmers Market at Lake Anne Plaza has ended for the season, but a reorganized group will stay on Saturdays through Dec. 20 for fall and pre-holiday shopping.
The Fall Farmers Market is an offshoot of the Lake Anne Craft Market, which runs alongside the Fairfax County-sponsored farmers market from May to October.
Twenty-four vendors will stay through the late season, says craft market organizer Eve Thompson. The market opens at 9 a.m.
“Many of the regular favorites have stayed for the Fall Market, and we have new offerings like fresh pasta, olives, spices, and prepared foods, tacos, bbq, empanadas, and real dill pickles,” she said. “All are local vendor produced and or grown products.”
Among the vendors:
- Bees ‘n Blossoms
- Del Sur Baked Goods- Empanada
- Dimitri Olive Farms- Greek Olives
- Valentines Country Bakery & Meats
- The Farm at Sunnyside
- Penn Farm
- Reids Orchard
- J&W Valley View Farm
- Back to the Basiks Spices
- Uncle Fred’s BBQ
- Blue Ridge Dairy
- Glascock’s Orchard
- Grace’s Pastries
- Baguette Republic
- Smith Family Farms
- Chesley Vegetable Farms
- Joie de Vivre Fine Food
- Gunpowder Bison
- Oh Pickles
- Lake Anne Market
- Toigo Orchard
- Country Pride Cheese
- Grandma’s Relish Garden
- La Pasta fresh pasta
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended for approval plan changes to the comprehensive plan for Crescent Apartments and the Lake Anne area.
The changes, which mostly look at densities and adds continuity to the six separate Land Bays comprising the plan, will go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2.
The plan, as approved in 2013, calls for a mix of uses and intensities in designated zones surrounding Lake Anne’s original village center, but leaves the historic part of the plaza untouched.
A spokesman for Lake Anne Development Partners, which was selected in 2013 by the county to develop the project, the changes only modify some of the density around within the “various Land Units to be consistent with our design as it has evolved during the pre-planning process, but it does not actually represent any material change in the overall densities or intent of the original Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Lake Anne Village Center that was initiated in 2007 and approved in March 2009.”
The plan as already approved calls for up to 1,415 dwelling units and 219,000 square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,535 dwelling units and 113,000 square feet of non-residential use under full consolidation.
To see the full document and maps of Land Units A-F, see this document from Fairfax County.
Photo: Association of School Business Officials building, which is slated to be torn down as part of Lake Anne redevelopment/file photo
The redevelopment of Crescent Apartments and the area near historic Lake Anne Plaza is back on the Fairfax County Planning Commission docket.
An amendment to the project plan is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday night.
A county staff report shows a few changes to the plan.
The county staff report recommends the plan for approval. If recommended, it will go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2.
The plan, as approved in 2013, calls for a mix of uses and intensities in designated zones surrounding Lake Anne’s original village center, but leaves the historic part of the plaza untouched.
A spokesman for Lake Anne Development Partners, which was selected in 2013 by the county to develop the project, the changes only modify some of the density around within the “various Land Units to be consistent with our design as it has evolved during the pre-planning process, but it does not actually represent any material change in the overall densities or intent of the original Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Lake Anne Village Center that was initiated in 2007 and approved in March 2009.”
The plan as already approved calls for up to 1,415 dwelling units and 219,000 square feet of non-residential uses and up to 1,535 dwelling units and 113,000 square feet of non-residential use under full consolidation.
According to the Oct. 29 plan amendment:
Plan amendment 2013-III-UP1 considers changes to recommendations regarding the Millennium Bank building, heritage resources, the Full Consolidation Option and transportation. Specifically, these include:
• The current Comprehensive Plan recommends the retention of the Millennium Bank building which is located in Land Unit F. The Plan amendment considers the demolition and redevelopment of the Millennium Bank building as part of Land Unit A.
• The Full Consolidation Option is contingent upon consolidation of Land Units A, D and E. The Plan amendment considers deletion of Land Unit E from this option, which is developed with Fellowship House, while retaining the opportunity for Land Unit E to redevelop independently up to 510,000 SF of residential development or 425 MF dwelling units and 4,000 SF of non-residential uses.
• Under the Full Consolidation Option, the current Comprehensive Plan recommends that Land Unit D be developed with up to 4,000 SF of non-residential development exclusive of an existing gas station. The Plan amendment considers providing up to 48,000 SF of non-residential development in Land Unit D including redevelopment of the gas station.
Under the Full Consolidation Option in Land Units A and D, the current Comprehensive Plan recommends up to 109,000 SF of non-residential development. The Plan amendment considers increasing the total amount of non-residential development to 153,000 SF under the Full Consolidation Option in Land Units A and D.
• Potential impact of increased land use intensity under consideration for this Plan amendment on transportation is evaluated.
To see the full document and maps of Land Units A-F, see this document from Fairfax County.
Photo: Rendering of redeveloped Lake Anne area/Credit: LADP
A locally owned pet supply shop will soon open at Lake Anne Plaza.
PetMAC Marketplace and Adoption Center, which has a store in Arlington, has signed a lease to take over the spot formerly occupied by The Cupcake Ladi at 11412 Washington Plaza.
PetMAC owner Cindy Williams, a Reston resident, says she hopes to open at least part of the store in early to mid-December.
Williams says PetMAC specializes in nutritional needs for pets. In addition to pet toys and supplies and higher-end and all-natural brands of pet food, she also has the products and expertise to help with allergies, behavioral problems and other pet needs that can be addressed with supplements and food.
The other component of PetMAC’s business is working closely with rescue groups to find homes for dogs and cats. Look for weekend adoption events with area rescue groups, as well as a few cats for adoption who will be in residence at the store.
Williams, who left corporate America nearly a decade ago to go into the pet business, says she thinks Lake Anne Plaza — with hundreds of dog owners living in walking distance — is an ideal spot to open a new store.
“My Arlington store is a little out of the way,” she said of her current store on N. Kenmore Street. “Here at Lake Anne, it is a beautiful, supportive place. I really feel like part of the community here. It is a very small-business oriented environment.”
Check out PetMAC online or on their PetMAC Lake Anne Facebook page.
Lake Anne Plaza will be filled with ghosts and witches, firefighters and ladybugs on Friday, Oct. 31.
Costume size: small, with room for a tail.
The plaza is holding a HOWL-O-WEEN celebration from 6 to 8 p.m., where pets and their owners — who are also welcome to come in costume — can celebrate the holiday.
Among the fun:
Pet Costume Contest (starting at 6:30PM)
Music
Games (for pets and people)
“Yappy” Hour at Restaurants
Treats/Tricks/Prizes from Lake Anne Merchants
HOWL-O-WEEN is free and will be held rain or shine.
Taco dog costume/Credit: Youluckydog.com
It’s been about a month since Lakeside Pharmacy closed its doors after more than 40 years at Lake Anne Plaza.
Owner/pharmacist Larry Cohn retired after decades at the store, which also featured a lunch counter and in-store U.S. Post Office.
The space was sold to investors, who had hoped to get an independent pharmacy to take over the site this summer. That did not happen, though, and the store is now closed.
The space, which has a view of Lake Anne as well as patio seating, is available with the lunch counter operation, or can be subdivided.
Tell us in the comments: What do you think should open here?
A boutique grocery store, two five-story affordable housing buildings, a two-level parking garage and a wide central park.
These are some of the features of Lake Anne Development’s Partners’ plans for a revitalized Crescent Apartments and surrounding areas near Lake Anne. The plans were approved in concept by Reston Association’s Design Review Board on Tuesday.
That means the basic plans have passed the first steps toward redevelopment. It will still need to go back to the DRB, as well as Fairfax County officials, for more discussion before the many projects get underway.
LADP has been working on its vision for a revitalized Lake Anne since summer 2013, when it was selected by Fairfax County through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
Overhauling the county-owned Crescent affordable housing complex, rebuilding the farmers market and creating additional office and retail space is slated to take 10 to 12 years, David Peter, president and CEO of LADP’s parent company, Republic Land Development, has said.
Historic designation prevents big changes to the retail and residential components of Lake Anne plaza. The plaza currently has a number of empty stores, but Lake Anne residents and business owners say they are hopeful added density will aid in a renewed retail atmosphere at Lake Anne.
The parking garage will be built on a swath of land that the developer acquired last year in a land swap. In the deal, Reston Association’s board trading an acre of RA’s land at Lake Anne for a parcel along Baron Cameron Avenue, as well as financial incentives and improvements.
To see the full plans, visit LADP’s website.
Photo: Rendering of new housing near Lake Anne/Credit: LADP
The future look of the Crescent Apartments and Lake Anne area is coming into focus.
Lake Anne Development Partners has released dozens of new images in a revitalization plan document. The designs show an expanded plaza, a larger farmers market and a “pedestrian mew” strip of greenery between townhouses.
Fairfax County selected LADP to redevelop the 16-acre site after a yearlong request for proposals process. Overhauling the county-owned Crescent affordable housing complex, rebuilding the farmers market and creating additional office and retail space is slated to take 10 to 12 years, David Peter, president and CEO of LADP’s parent company, Republic Land Development, has said.
Historic designation prevents big changes to the retail and residential components of Lake Anne plaza.
The Reston Association approved a controversial land swap in late 2013, trading an acre of RA’s land at Lake Anne for a parcel along Baron Cameron Avenue, as well as financial incentives and improvements. A parking garage will be built on the site.
LADP will present the designs to the RA’s Design Review Board at 7 p.m. Oct. 21. For the full set of renderings, see LADP’s website.
Celebrating Many Cultures — Thousands flocked to Lake Anne Plaza Saturday for the annual Reston Multicultural Festival on Saturday. Modern Reston captured all the action in some great photos. [Modern Reston]
Reston’s Transit Neighborhoods — Several development representatives were on hand for the Reston Historic Trust’s panel discussion on the future of the Reston Station area. Couldn’t make it in person? The whole thing is on video for you to enjoy. [You Tube]
Park Authority Wants Your Thoughts — What amenities are lacking in the Fairfax County park system? The Park Authority is conducting a need assessment over the next 18 months. It will offer the opportunity for you to give feedback in person, online and in small group meetings. [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Supervisors Seek to Serve Aging Population — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has outlined plans to better serve the county’s 50-and-over population. The supervisors say the number of residents over 70 will increase by 88 percent by 2030. [Fairfax Times]
Photo of Reston Town Center by Brendan Ross via Flickr
Music, dance, food and other activities from around the world will return to Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday at the Reston Multicultural Festival.
The Reston Multicultural Festival celebrates the diversity and community spirit of Reston, says Reston Community Center, which sponsors the annual event along with Reston Association and other local organizations and businesses.
The festival starts at 11 a.m. with a naturalization ceremony of new United States citizens and a release of doves.
Live entertainment begins at 1 p.m. on two stages. Admission is free.
World Stage
1 p.m.
Elaine Hoffman Watts, National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, Klezmer Music
2 p.m.
Christylez Bacon-Washington Sound Museum with Wytold and Nitsha Raj, Cross-Cultural Collaborative Music Experience
2:55 p.m.
Angel Roman, Middle Eastern Dance
3:30 p.m.
Kalavaridhi Dance, Indian Classical Dance
4:10 p.m.
Khinezin Win, Burmese (Myanmar Dance)
5 p.m.
Elikeh, Afro-pop
Global Stage
12:15 p.m.
Tom Teasley, UN Cultural Ambassador for Percussion
1:10 p.m.
Shaolin Temple, Chinese Martial Arts
1:45 p.m.
Jayamangala, Indian Classical Dance
2:20 p.m.
Furia Flamenca, Flamenco Dance
3:00 p.m
Ta’Ta RoiRoi, Tahitian Dance and music
3:40 p.m
Born 2 Dance, Capoeira, Bollywood, and Salsa
4:15 p.m
Nomad Dancers, Dances from ancient Persia and Central Asia
5:15 p.m.
Ocho de Bastos, Latin Pop Rock
Additionally, RCC’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery includes an indoor stage with storytelling, Irish music and dance, and Ukranian egg decorating, among other activities. Visit RCC’s website for the full schedule of events.
There will also be food and crafts from many cultures available for purchase. On the menu: Peruvian chicken, Thai food, tacos and more. See the list of arts and crafts vendors.
Photo: Reston Multicultural Festival/file photo
More than two dozen naturalized American citizens will take their Oath of Allegiance in front of an audience at Lake Anne Plaza on Saturday.
The swearing-in has been a tradition at the Reston Multicultural Festival the last 12 years as people from a variety of countries become the newest U.S. citizens in a ceremony capped by the release of doves.
The naturalization ceremony begins at 12:30 p.m. with remarks by Sarah Taylor from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Taylor will also administer the oath of allegiance.
Musical performances will include the Star Spangled Banner by South Lakes High School Chorus members and God Bless America by Reston performer Beverly Cosham.
After the ceremony, Bolivian dancers will lead participants and visitors across the plaza for the rest of the day’s celebration.
From 1 to 6 p.m., the festival becomes a mix of world music, dance, crafts, stories and food on two outdoor stages and an indoor space (Jo Ann Rose Gallery). There will be Chinese martial arts, Flamenco dance, Ukranian egg decorating, Indian classical dance and a public art project made of origami cranes, among others.
Visit Reston Community Center’s website for the full slate of events. Admission is free.
Photo: New U.S. citizens at Reston Multicultural Festival naturalization ceremony, 2012/file photo
After nearly 50 years on Lake Anne Plaza, Lakeside Pharmacy will close its doors for good on Monday at 5 p.m.
The old-time pharmacy — complete with a soda fountain, post office and friendly pharmacist — was the last remaining original store at Reston’s first village center.
Pharmacist Larry Cohn has owned the store for 44 years. He sold it last spring to an investor. Cohn, who has been making the daily commute from Culpeper for years, wants to retire.
The new owners had hoped to have an independent pharmacist take over the store so there would be no disruption in service, but one could not be found in time.
Prescriptions on file at Lakeside Pharmacy will be transferred to the CVS at Plaza America, Cohn said.
While patrons gave Cohn gave Cohn and staff a goodbye party last spring, another gathering is being planned for patrons who want to remember their store and take a few photos.
Patrons will be meeting Saturday at 4 p.m. in front of Kalypso’s restaurant before heading over to the pharmacy.
The pharmacy’s closure caps a run of recent changes at Lake Anne Plaza.
Cafe Lakeside, the breakfast and lunch counter located in the pharmacy, closed in February. Owners Alfredo and Rocio Melendez, who had operated the space since 2011, said they wanted to retire since the future of the space was unknown.
The lunch counter space is being marketed for sale or lease separately, so a prospective tenant would not necessarily have to run the business inside another business.
The waterfront space that houses Lakeside Pharmacy is not slated for redevelopment as part of Lake Anne Development Partners’ (Republic Development) plan for the area.
Because the pharmacy is in the historic part of Lake Anne, the building cannot undergo major changes.
Nearby areas, such as the current parking lot at Lake Anne Plaza, a grove of trees owned by Reston Association and Crescent Apartments are included in the redevelopment plan, which includes 60,000 square feet of new retail space, up to 82,500 square feet of office space, and 1,037 residential units.
Meanwhile, other Lake Anne businesses are changing hands or have recently closed. Jasmine Cafe, a locally owned restaurant on the plaza, closed in April. The Lake Anne Coffee House is for sale. The Cupcake Ladi and New Family Naturals also recently closed.
