Space for 1,530 High-Rise Units Left in Reston?
It’s almost official. Reston is built out. The town has only enough space for 1,530 more high-rise units before it meets zoning restrictions on density, county officials told the Reston Planning and Zoning committee Monday night. According to a maximum density ordinance, Reston is limited to 13 people per acre. When the Reston Master Plan was formed, it imposed this limitation on the Planned Residential Community district that is Reston.
According to Jim Zook, director of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning, Reston has nearly reached the 13 people per acre threshold. Reston’s density is currently at about 12.51 people per acre, said Zook. Unless the zoning is changed, the county estimates that Reston can afford 1,530 more units before it exceeds the law.
“Based on an estimated acreage of 6,224, the total number of persons per acre is 12.51, which leaves a maximum of 1,530 high rise units available under this density restriction,” said the county handout.
It remains unclear how this restriction could affect pending or proposed residential developments in Reston.
Baha’i Black History Award Winners
The Baha’i community of Reston, which is organizing a public ceremony to honor selected African American Restonians for their community service, named the 2006 Black History Award recipients. The recipients are Carol Bradley, a retired principal of Terraset Elementary School, and Dr. Jacquelyn Y. Madry-Taylor, the first African-American Chief Academic Officer for Northern Virginia Community College. The award winners will be honored at the Spirit of Service Award Ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. The event will include music and refreshments.
Previous recipients include L. Brooke Johnson, Lillie Degree, Wendell Byrd, Rodney and Janice Scott, Bea Malone, William and Mary Jackson, Pauline McAfee, Charles Rasco and Arnetta Foster.
ARCH Endorses RA Referendum
As promised, the Board of Directors for the Alliance of Reston Clusters and Homeowners (ARCH), following the unanimous recommendation of its issues committee, voted unanimously Thursday, Feb. 2 to support the upcoming referendum on changes to the Reston Association governing documents. ARCH will hold a members meeting Thursday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne facility, where ARCH Board will provide a white paper for its members and further explain why it has chosen to support the referendum. The meeting will also allow member comments. The public is invited to attend.
Moran Receives Humane Advocate Award
The Humane Society of the United States presented U.S. Rep Jim Moran (D-8), who represents Reston, with the Humane Advocate Award last week. The award is given to members of Congress with a 100 percent voting record on issues considered by the HSUS to be vital to the protection of animals.
The “Humane Scorecard,” which is released annually by the HSUS, scored members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives during the first session of the 109th Congress on their votes related to animal protection, including votes on horse slaughter; oversight of “puppy mills,” and animal welfare. Moran has received near perfect scores from the animal rights organization every year that the scorecard has been produced.
Bioterrorism Response Plan for County
On Saturday, Feb. 11, the Reston/Herndon Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) presents the Bioterrorism Response Plan for Fairfax County, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne. The program consists of a presentation by Donna Foster, the Medical Reserve Corps coordinator with the Fairfax County Health Department. The Medical Reserve Corps is a program sponsored by the Fairfax County Citizen Corps, an affiliate of the Virginia Citizen Corps under the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps is to supplement the capacity of the public health system in the event of a bioterrorism attack or naturally occurring epidemic. Contact Fran Lovaas or Bea Malone at 703-318-9628.
RCC Public Hearings on Funding, Borders
The Reston Community Center is conducting two public hearings in February on the center’s funding, programs, borders and fee structure. The first hearing is Saturday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m., at the RCC at Hunters Woods. The second hearing is Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m., at the RCC at Lake Anne. Individual speakers will be allowed two minutes to speak, while speakers representing an organization will be allotted three minutes.
RTC Ice Skating Pavilion Helps Raise Money
The Ice Skating Pavilion at Reston Town Center raised $3,774 for non-profit groups during November and December 2005. During the opening week in November, Reston Character Counts! Coalition raised a total of $2,448 for its cause. Other benefiting groups include Chantilly Chaos Soccer, Crossfield Elementary School, Dogwood Elementary School, Paul VI Dance Team and Challenge Girls Club. Ice Skating at Reston Town Center will be open daily until the beginning of March, and non-profit groups still have time to sign up to take advantage of the Ice Skating fund-raiser opportunities. Call the Ice Skating Pavilion at 703-709-6300.
In addition, Reston Town Center played host to 29 events and fund-raising opportunities for non-profit groups throughout 2005, generating a record-breaking amount of over $2.2 million in funds for charitable causes.
YMCA Summer Camp Registration
The YMCA Fairfax County Reston has started registration for its Summer Camp programs. Camp registration is currently underway and limited space is still available. Various programs are being offered for ages 3 to 15. Programs include: YMCA ... Survive it! Camp, which allows children to work with their peers to complete team challenges; Basketball Camp, at which basketball players can work on the fundamentals of their game by participating in team games, shooting contests and skill development; Outdoor Adventure Camp, which includes traditional activities such as archery, sports, arts & crafts and swimming; and Preschool Camp Fun Shine, designed to give preschool children their first summer camp experience; and Traditional day camp themed sessions full of activities such as swimming, sports, singing, arts & crafts and field trips.
Call the YMCA Fairfax County Reston at 703-742-8800 or go online at www.ymcawashdc.org for more information.
Variety Show to Aid Rwanda
The United Christian Parish of Reston is having a variety show and silent auction on Friday, Feb. 24, to raise money for its mission project in Rwanda. The annual event — this year with a Mardi Gras theme — takes place at the church on 11508 North Shore Drive. The public is invited.
Pizza and soda will be available for sale at 6 p.m. Bidding at the silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. The talent show will include singing, dancing, poetry readings and instrumental music, starting at 7 p.m.
The United Christian Parish (UCP) has been working for nine years with a United Methodist Church project in Rwanda to help provide food, shelter and medical care for several hundred children orphaned by war and AIDS.
UCP youth also raises $3,000 each year to support a young Rwandan studying medicine at the university in Kigali.
For more information, see www.unitedchristianparish.org or call the church office at 703-620-3065.
Calendar
Monday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m., The Reston Community Center Public Hearing on funding sources at RCC-Hunters Woods.
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m., The Reston Community Center Public Hearing on funding sources at RCC-Lake Anne.