Draft Notes for RTF Wiehle TOD Area Committee, June 15, 2010

DRAFT
Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force
Wiehle Avenue Sub-Committee

Meeting Summary – June 15, 2010

Mr. Corrigan distributed a table summarizing existing conditions in terms of land unit sizes, existing uses, zoning and FARs. He will continue to review this and check against other sources.

Presentations were made by property owners representing portions of all four quadrants of the Wiehle/DAAR intersection. The presentations shared many objectives for the properties: internal street grids throughout adjacent land units, convenient pedestrian connections within the quadrants and across Wiehle Avenue, greater density than currently permitted to make conversion from suburban office use to urban mixed use economically feasible, reduced mandated parking requirements, integrated green space, and coordinated development planning with surrounding property owners. None of the presentations represented firm plans; at this point, the property owners are studying land use possibilities, talking with adjacent owners, monitoring the economic climate and estimating how much additional density is required to economically justify the tear-down of currently profitable buildings.

JBG, Alex San Andres: JBG has a tentative concept for mixed use in its property in land unit G5.

Bernstein Companies, John Bellaschi: Deferred a presentation on their property in land unit I1 to June 22nd. In response to questions, Mr. Bellaschi noted the appropriateness of an underpass across Wiehle between land units I1 and H2 since the elevation of Wiehle is about ten feet above the adjacent land.

Veatch Commercial, Chuck Veatch: Although they have filed a zoning application compliant with the current comprehensive plan for their property in land unit G4, there is no firm plan.

Vernado, Mike Novotny: Vernado’s property in land unit H2 abuts Metro’s south landing. They would like to redevelop to allow a pedestrian path straight south from the landing through a retail/office area to residential units on Sunrise Valley, and to create a street grid within H2. They think that along the DAAR, buildings could be as high as 275-300 feet tapering to a much lower level adjacent to Sunrise Valley compatible with the residential areas to the south. The concept would be for no canyons, elegant height and an open ground plan.

Centennial, Pete Scamardo: Centennial intends to convert an existing building to office condominiums and has several other parcels within H2 where development is possible, preferably at higher density than currently allowed.

Members Attending:
Bill Penniman – Co-chairman
Andy Van Horn – Co-chairman
Judith Allen
Mike Corrigan
Van Foster
David Gill
Dick Kennedy
Mark Looney
Art Murphy
Paul Thomas