Reston — As Reston prepares for its future, the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force recently voted to send their work onto the Fairfax County Planning Commission for consideration.
One of the dissenting votes against the task force’s report came from the Reston Citizens Association, who panned the recommendation and gave them a “D” grade.
“I’d hoped by now we’d have something we could all be proud of. But we’ve got to call it like we see it, and there are major issues that haven’t been addressed yet,” said Colin Mills, president of the RCA, in a statement. “We need a plan that meets our community’s expectations for the future.”
The RCA gave its highest marks, a “B” to the plan’s overview, urban design and placemaking and environmental stewardship. In those instances, those categories are criticized for leaving many specifics, such as information on how to implement the urban design.
Other areas received failing grades, such as the urban parks, recreation and culture section.
“[It] abandons approved countywide standards, provides too little parks and rec space for new residents, increases burdens on existing [Reston Association] facilities and limits the county’s contribution to new park facilities,” the comments for the section read.
“C” grades were given to the public facilities, and “D” grades were given to areawide recommendations, transportation and district recommendations.
“Restonians deserve a draft plan that is much more responsive for their needs now and into the future,” said Terry Maynard, co-chair of the Reston 2020 committee and member of the task force representing the RCA. “This draft plan generally focuses on the needs of developers and the county, although we appreciate its relative strength in environmental stewardship, an important concern to Restonians.”
Tammi Petrine, the other co-chair of Reston 2020, says that there is little in the plan that Restonians should be enthusiastic about.
“The draft plan guarantees massive gridlock for Restonians using Reston Parkway and Wiehle most of the day and the parks and recreation portion promises overcrowded athletic fields that will force Reston to absorb the costs, space, areas and facilities to meet the needs of 49,000 people who will live in its station areas,” she said.
The Fairfax County Planning commission will hold a public hearing on the plan on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and the Board of Supervisors will hold their public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 3.