Reston Association will need to get creative in order to fund its planned renovation of the Lake Thoreau Pool.
The majority of residents who spoke at the association’s board of directors meeting on Thursday expressed support for funding the project in 2021 so that it can reopen in 2022 as planned. Members urging board members to consider a variety of funding and design options if necessary to make it more feasible.
Suggestions included opening the pool up to non-RA members, turning the pool into a shallow-end-only facility to make maintenance easier, and opening up the pool deck year-round so that it could be utilized for other activities.
“Now that we are all living through this pandemic, we know the huge importance of outdoor spaces,” Giselle Agosto Hincapie, whose family lives in walking distance of the pool, said. “The idea of completely eliminating the pool or delaying the construction project is truly disheartening. I think a pool can be incorporated with year-round amenities in this space.”
Kimley-Horn, the consultant hired to develop design concepts for the pool project, estimates that its first proposal, a more straightforward renovation that stays within the site’s existing footprint, would cost somewhere between $2.9 million and $3.5 million.
This design would install a zero-depth wading pool in what used to be the facility’s deep end, expand the parking lot and bathhouse to meet Fairfax County and Americans with Disabilities Act code requirements, and incorporate an elevated observation and lounge deck.
A second proposal that would involve a more extensive overhaul of the site would cost between $3.8 million and $4.6 million, though Kimle-Horn landscape architect Ron Kagawa says there has been a “great preference” for the simpler concept.
Kagawa says a significant part of the project’s cost is tied to the need to level out the site so that it is more accessible and to construct an approximately 450-foot-long retaining wall along the lakefront and around the parking lot.
Chris Schumaker, Reston Association’s senior capital projects operations manager, estimates that if RA picks the first project concept, it would need to commit an additional $3.1 million on top of the $350,000 allocated to the Lake Thoreau project in 2020, possibly splitting the $3.45 million total cost between $1.6 million in 2021 and $1.5 million in 2022.
However, Reston Association also has five other pools and three tennis courts that are expected to need renovations between 2022 and 2031.
Adding these other projects on top of the Lake Thoreau pool funding, the association’s repair and replacement reserve fund could drop into a negative balance by 2023 and not recover until 2027, according to Schumaker’s projections.
“A lot of our facilities are nearing that 40, 50-year age mark,” Schumaker said. “We can safely assume there are going to be some major projects coming down the pike that we’re going to need to be aware of and planning for.”
RA’s Board of Directors will discuss options for financing the Lake Thoreau pool renovation in more detail during a special working session on Oct. 8.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association is urging members to avoid contact with Lake Newport after a possibly harmful algae bloom developed at the lake this week.
The association will continue to monitor the algae, but there are not immediate plans to treat the lake.
Forecasted rain and cooler temperatures should take care of the issue, RA wrote in a statement.
Residents should “regard the algae as potentially harmful” and avoid contact with the water. Pet owners should ensure their pets avoid ingesting or coming into contact with the water as well.
Anyone with additional questions should contact William Peterson at [email protected].
Photo via RA
An update on Fairfax County’s Reston Comprehensive Plan Task Force is planned for tonight’s Reston Association Board of Directors meeting.
Established by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14, the Reston Comprehensive Plan task force has been tasked with reviewing the county’s Reston Master Plan, which guides land use, development, infrastructure, and the general vision and environment for the Reston community.
As a homeowners’ association that represents 21,346 residential units in the Reston community, Reston Association is represented on the task force by Secretary and North Point District director John Mooney with Chief Operating Officer Larry Butler serving as an alternate.
“There have been no decision points yet with the Reston Comprehensive Plan Task Force so the RA Board has not weighed in,” Mike Leone, Reston Association’s spokesperson said. “RA’s primary interest in participating on the task force is to ensure our members’ interests are heard during the task force process.”
Fairfax County originally amended Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan with a section specific to Reston in February 2014 to establish a vision for transit station areas created in anticipation of the arrival of Metro’s Silver Line.
The Board of Supervisors adopted a second phase of the Reston plan amendment in June 2015 to address the area’s village centers and residential areas, aligning the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations with existing development.
While the Reston Comprehensive Plan was amended in 2018, the need to reexamine the plan more extensively emerged last year after county officials and residents clashed over a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would have increased the density limits for Reston’s planned residential community district.
The proposed zoning amendment was intended to ensure Reston will be able to accommodate anticipated future growth, but many residential groups, including Reston Association, Reston 20/20, and the Reston Citizens Association, argued that it would be more effective to modify the comprehensive plan before considering changes to the PRC district density limits.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission ultimately agreed with opponents of the proposal, voting unanimously in February 2019 to recommend that the county supervisors do not amend the zoning ordinance until an amendment to the Reston Comprehensive Plan is in place.
The Board of Supervisors voted that March to indefinitely defer the proposed zoning ordinance change.
After taking office in January, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn moved to establish the Reston Comprehensive Plan task force, which consists of 24 members with seven alternates and held its first meeting on May 11.
At its last meeting on Sept. 14, the task force tentatively approved topic areas, reviewed the comprehensive plan’s planning principles, and got an overview of transportation issues in Reston from Fairfax County staff, according to meeting materials.
Alcorn, who is facilitating the task force, says the group has also discussed Reston’s projected population and planned transportation improvements.
“After five meetings and 10 hours of engaged discussion, I am very excited about the work being done by the task force,” Alcorn said. “The task force is really just getting started and participation from interested members of the community is encouraged. The output of this work will guide Reston’s built and natural environment for decades to come.”
With the comprehensive plan review and community engagement process expected to take between 12 and 18 months, the task force has scheduled meetings through December, with the next one set for Sept. 30.
Other notable items on tonight’s agenda for the RA Board of Directors include:
- Approval of the proposed work plan for the multimodal transportation committee, which gives advice and policy recommendations on transportation infrastructure related to Reston
- A third-quarter information technology update, including information about the association’s new website
- A status update on completed, ongoing, and upcoming RA capital projects, including an overview of funding for its Lake Thoreau project
- A progress update on the recreation facilities working group, which is evaluating the condition, usage, and costs of the association’s recreational facilities
According to a summary in tonight’s agenda, the cancelation of camps, programs, and events, along with a shortened pool season, have had the most significant financial impact on Reston Association, lowering operating expenses by $2 million to offset a $1.5 million drop in revenue as of August.
Staff Photo by Jay Westcott
Walking Tour with Alcorn Cancelled — A walking tour and work session with Reston Association’s Design Review Board and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn has been canceled. The work session was intended to go over plans for the Reston Town Center North parcels. [RA]
County Creates School Support Page — The county. Has created a new landing page that offers the latest resources and links to information for Fairfax County s students and their families. [Fairfax County Government]
Dulles Chamber to Honor Herndon Mayor — The upcoming Metro Monday by the Dulles Chamber of Commerce will honor Town of Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel and discuss the future of retail in the upcoming year. [Dulles Chamber]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The Vantage Hill Condominium Association has tweaked its designs for the vacant pool and parking lot in response to concerns from neighbors and the Reston Association’s Design Review Board this summer.
The pool, part of the condominium complex at 11619 Vantage Hill Road, has accumulated algae and mosquitoes for about seven years. Craftmark Homes, a homebuilding company with property in Virginia, Maryland and D.C., is proposing a facelift for the 2.1-acre plot that includes new townhouses.
The new plan allows for fewer townhouses than the 31 that were originally drafted, Rob Schumann, the treasurer of the Vantage Hill Condominium Association, told Reston Now. They will also be situated farther back from the road.
Vantage Hill, comprised of 152 one- to three-bedroom units, was one of Reston’s early developments, built in the 1960s. But condo association members say the complex is falling apart and the high HoA fees barely cover upkeep, let alone needed upgrades, which could cost $30,000 to $40,000 per unit, Schumann said.
The project would bring in the needed cash to redo the 60-year-old shared electrical and water meters, which are plagued with problems, and replace the single-paned windows and sliding doors with energy-efficient ones.
“The answer to people who say, ‘Vantage Hill should take care of itself,’ is that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said. “We’re not going to the government, and we’re not asking for a handout.”
When the project came before the DRB on June 23, neighbors said there were too many townhouses and predicted increases in light pollution, traffic and tree removal. Some cautioned against any work, while others asked for measures to calm traffic and minimize noise.
In response, Vantage Hill and Craftmark have agreed to build fewer townhouses, although the final number has not yet been decided, Schumann said.
The townhouses will be farther back from Wainwright Drive, which he said responds to concerns that having them too close to the street would break with the character of nearby clusters and subject more trees to the ax.
The updated plan will receive more feedback from the Reston Association’s Design Review Board during a task-force meeting on Oct. 1. A vote is not planned at the meeting, Schumann said. After the meeting, if no further work sessions are needed, the association and Craftmark Homes will present their project to the board in a regular meeting, when members will vote whether to proceed.
The Design Review Board will participate in a work session for the Vantage Hill redevelopment/in-fill application on October 1, 2020 held via Zoom.
Please use the information below to join.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://t.co/ogDf8VXMGj
Meeting ID: 961 5514 0962
Passcode: 866211 pic.twitter.com/EouXxQklTp— Reston Association (@RestonOnline) September 16, 2020
This application has no defined timeline, said Mike Leone, the spokesman for the Reston Association, in an email. Infill and redevelopment applications typically involve multiple work sessions and assignment to the agenda of full Design Review Board meetings, he said.
After five years spent finding a way to fund these updates, members are pinning their hopes on selling the 2.1-acre plot to Craftmark Homes. The homebuilding group is the third developer to work with the association.
As for carving out land to sell to a developer, Leone said “it is not uncommon for associations and their boards to consider all of their options as they prepare to pay for costly infrastructure repairs.”
Photo via RA
Reston Association to Host Listening Session — RA is hosting a listening session for the Hunters Woods/Dogwood District today (Monday) via Zoom. Th meeting begins at 7 p.m. [Reston Association]
Capital Bikeshare Celebrates 10 Years — “DC’s Capital Bikeshare marks its 10th birthday this Sunday, September 20. Along with iPads and electric car charging stations which also turn 10 this year, they’ve changed the possibilities for how many of us work and play.” [Greater Greater Washington]
Fairfax County Park Authority Celebrates 70 Years — “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Fairfax County Park Authority, and activities are planned from now through next June to mark our 70 Years of Excellence.” [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Wiehle-Reston East Station Closing for Three Weekends — “Metro’s Silver Line will shut down for three weekends for work to prepare for a likely opening of the Silver Line’s second phase next year. Metro and the Washington Metropolitan Airports Authority (MWAA) say the likely dates are November 7-8, November 21-22, and December 5-6.” [WJLA]
Treatment on Two Reston Lakes to Begin Today — “On Sep. 15 Lake Anne and Lake Thoreau were monitored for algae by Aquatic Environment Consultants (AEC). AEC confirmed this morning that they will be proceeding with the regularly scheduled algae treatments for both lakes.” [Reston Association]
Local Firm Boasts ‘Stellar Year’ — “Venture capital firm Proof.VC has been on a roll in 2020. The Reston company’s portfolio has seen 3D-printing startup Desktop Metal and Inc. online gaming platform Skill Inc. both announce their intentions to go public, as well as the earlier IPO of mattress company Casper Sleep Inc.” [Washington Business Journal]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Efforts to Preserve Lake Health Underway — “RA hosted a virtual meeting on Aug. 31 to collect input from residents and answer questions about the ongoing health of Reston’s lakes. Based on that feedback, RA has set up a Lakes and Watersheds webpage, where residents can find the latest water quality reports. They can also send their concerns via email to [email protected].” [Reston Patch]
Responding to Hate Crimes in Reston — A fifth Rainbow flag and a second Black Lives Matter banner that flew at the entrance of the church were installed at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston. They replace banners stole in June. [The Connection]
More Funding Pumped into Small Business Grant Program — “Additional funding for the Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (RISE) grant program will provide grants to remaining eligible businesses and nonprofits that applied. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved up to $12 million for the program. The Town of Vienna is providing $1 million as well.” [Reston Patch]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
Reston Association to Host Second Meeting on Lake Health — In a letter to its members, RA CEO Hank Lynch and Board of Directors President Julie Bitzer said next year’s budget will includ funding for lake treatment. A meeting to followup on lake health and management plans is set for October. [Reston Association]
High Honors for Rotary of Great Falls — “Rotary District 7610 recently named the Rotary of Great Falls as one of its top achievers for 2019-2020. The club was honored in several categories. It received plaudits for several youth projects, including sponsoring two teenagers for Rotary’s Leadership Institute.” [The Connection]
Current State of Pandemic in County — Fairfax Health Director Gloria Addo-Ayensu encourages residents to continue practicing social distancing in order to limit the spread of the pandemic. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
The potentially harmful green sludge that suddenly emerged, covering large swaths of a Reston lake is finally subsiding.
Thanks to cooling weather, rain and less sunshine the algae bloom which has covered Lake Thoreau for weeks is now on the decline and the lake is mostly clear, according to Mike Leone, Reston Association’s spokesman.
In mid-August, algae started to cover parts of Lake Thoreau causing the RA to tell nearby residents to avoid contact with the lake as the algae is “potentially harmful.”
RA staff pointed to the hot summer sun as a contributing factor and the RA’s recent attempt to clear the lake of an invasive plant species as potential reasons for the recent algae bloom. Now that the weather has cooled and some recent rainfall has poured freshwater in the lake, the algae bloom is subsiding Leone said.
“Essentially, the situation on Lake Thoreau is not necessarily as bad as it was like three or four weeks ago when we were in the height of the summer,” Leone said.
Management of the algae is something that RA staff is tracking closely with experts frequently examining the lake. Now that the lake is mostly clear, a treatment option to remove the algae may not be necessary anymore, Leone said.
“If the lake is very clear, it is likely that treatment is not necessary,” said William Peterson, the watershed manager for RA in a statement. “However, you also do not want to treat during a large algae bloom because killing the algae could decrease the dissolved oxygen in the lake, potentially leading to a fish kill.”
The direct cause of the bloom has not been determined, but the association’s attempt to clear the lakes of hydrilla, an invasive plant species, could be a factor. Removing hydrilla from the lake left more nutrients available for algae, potentially causing the latest algae bloom.
Before RA tried treating the lake with herbicide to kill the hydrilla, RA stocked the lake with grass carp, a freshwater fish that eats the plant. But the fish were not enough to clear the lake of hydrilla, leading to other treatment options.
Lab results from the lake confirm the algae specie that covered the lake was Dolichospermum planctonicum, also known Anabaena, which could cause skin irritation or make someone nauseous if exposed to it.
Algae grows when it is exposed to sunlight and nutrients, which often flows into lakes as runoff. While algae is a normal part of the aquatic ecosystem, some types of algae can make people sick if they are exposed to it causing the most recent concern over the algae bloom at Lake Thoreau, which has had previous algae blooms, particularly during summer months.
Northern Virginia’s ‘Livable’ Tech Hub — The Verge takes a look at how technology workers are considering relocating from hubs like Silicon Valley and New York City as Northern Virginia steps up to become a “welcoming, livable alternative.” [The Verge]
North Point District Listening Session Tonight — Reston Association’s Board of Directors will host a listening tonight via Zoom at 7 p.m. More listening sessions will follow in the coming weeks. [Reston Association]
How Local Police Fight for Mental Health After Officer Suicides — For the last three years, more police officers around the country have died by suicide than on the line of duty. The Fairfax County Police Department has tried to push for more support services. [NBC 4]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association is surveying its members to determine preferences on receiving electronic ballots, which would require members to provide email addresses to RA and candidates running for the Board of Directors.
The two-question survey, which was released yesterday, asks members if they wish to receive electronic elections ballots and if they want to receive campaign emails directly from candidates without opting in.
In the past, RA has required members to opt-in for electronic ballots. Paper ballots are mailed to members who do not opt-in.
“An increasing number of members have found online voting to be more convenient than mailing their ballots. Voting electronically helps increase participation in the annual board election, which is held throughout the month of March,” RA wrote in a statement.
The survey is intended to be an informal gauge to determine members’ preferences.
Car Rally for Justice Takes Place in Reston — “With armed security guards patrolling the grounds, faith leaders of nine partnering churches in the Reston-Herndon area joined organizers from Martin Luther King Jr. Christian Church Reston for their Faith and Justice Car Rally.” [The Connection]
Brabrand to Host Town Hall on Return to School — Fairfax County Public Schools’ Superintendent Scott Brabrand will host a town hall today (Wednesday) from 6-7 p.m. to discuss questions about the return to school. [FCPS]
Box Activities for 55+ Now Available — Activities in a Box for 55+ is now available for purchase. Each box is different and includes a nature activity, craft and science experiment, as well as a link to connect virtually for coffee or happy hour. [Reston Association]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association will consider including more funding in next year’s budget to preserve the environmental health of Lake Thoreau.
At a meeting with members last night (Monday), RA CEO Hank Lynch said the association has a line-item in the fiscal year 2021 budget to better protect the lake’s environmental health.
A major and potentially toxic algae bloom blanketed Lake Thoreau’s surface last month after RA treated the lake with herbicides to manage Hydrilla, an aquatic plant that had taken over parts of the lake. The treatment occurred in late July — late into the season when treatments are typically avoided in order to prevent further blooms and other issues.
Since then, RA has encouraged residents to avoid contact with the water. The dying hydrilla and algae bloom are expected to continue to dissipate in the coming weeks.
Lynch said there is no “simple formula” to solve all of Lake Thoreau’s environmental health challenges. His staff is working with experts — including Aquatic Environment Consultants — to discuss how to manage algae blooms, erosion, stormwater runoff, and other issues in the future.
“We’ve already go ta line item in the budget if we indeed we need to increase funding to make this doesn’t happen next year,” Lynch said.
RA has routinely worked with AEC to protect its lakes. The consultant’s president Bill Kirkpatrick said that RA had hoped introducing grass carp into the lake would fend off the hydrilla.
“The hope was the carp would be able to get a handle on it,” Kirkpatrick said, adding that his company will reevaluate what happened this year, lay out other options, and make a decision for next year.
RA members urged the association to act more swiftly and proactively in the future to prevent further issues at the lake. Others called on RA to improve its communication with residents, particularly those living near and around Lake Thoreau.
“It should be a top priority,” said Lorri Zell, adding that the lake’s health trumps efforts to bring movies on the lake or pontoon boats.
The full meeting is available online. RA plans to step up community engagement efforts to educate members about its lakes and lake management.
Photo by Jeannine Santoro
Reston Association is hosting a series of listening sessions for its members beginning next month.
All five sessions will take place virtually on Zoom. The first four sessions will be targeted to subjects related to each of Reston’s districts, according to RA. The last session, which takes place in October, will touch on general topics.
Each meeting begins at 7 p.m.
A breakdown of the schedule, along with links on how to join, is available below:
- Sept. 9 – North Point District
- Sept. 17 – South Lakes District
- Sept. 21 – Hunters Woods/Dogwood District
- Sept. 29 – Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District
- Oct. 15 – At-Large Meeting
Representatives of RA and its Board of Directors will be available to answer and field questions.
