Reston Association Board of Directors will give Reston property owners a chance to vote - via referendum - on the purchase of land north of the Dulles Toll Road. Photos by Sean Bahrami
A referendum for a parcel of land north of the Dulles Toll Road is being put forth by Reston Association.
The parcel, owned by Tetra Properties, will be sold to Reston Association after a voting process that ends in May.
“It seems to be a good way to get control of a property that, over time, can be subjected to a lot of pressure as the surrounding areas around it develop,” said Lake Anne-Tall Oaks Director Eve Thompson.
The vote to have the parcel of land, located at 11450 Baron Cameron Ave., decided by a referendum was passed unanimously at the Jan. 22 Board of Directors meeting.
The land, before owned by Tetra and used as an office area, was the former site of the Reston visitor center. Cate Fulkerson said the green space surrounding the building on site would be useful - and that RA can find a use for the building itself.
The current cost of the land is undetermined.
“What we seek is a comprehensive plan designation which is the same that the property was used for,” said Attorney John McBride, Odin, Feldman & Pittleman.
Only property owners can vote in the referendum.
According to RA CEO Cate Fulkerson, the schedule for the public hearings and information follows:
- Feb. 9: Special meeting for board to vote on the referendum and fact sheet wording. Notices for public hearings will be posted.
- Feb. 26: Public hearing at the RA meeting room.
- March 16: Finalize record eligibility list for those who can vote in the referendum.
- March 26: Public hearing at the RA meeting room.
- April 13: Ballots to be mailed to property owners.
- May 8: Latest ballots can be returned to RA office.
- May 11: Results of referendum posted.
Board member and treasurer John Higgins said the schedule is ambitious but doable.
“Lets put as much information out there to the membership as we possibly can,” he said.
For updated information on meetings, http://www.reston.org