Joint Community Forum: RCA and RA Approve Joint Summary Statement of Concern about Draft Reston Master Plan, Plan Joint Forum

At their respective Board of Directors meetings on September 23, 2013, the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) and Reston Association (RA) approved a joint summary statement of concerns about key  concerns in the draft Reston Master Plan.  The summary is a top level description of a series of six key areas of concern the two organizations and the Alliance for Reston Clusters and Homeowners (ARCH) have shared with the County.

Here is the text of the joint summary statement:

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE PHASE ONE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR

THE RESTON TRANSIT STATION AREAS (TSAS)

1.  Reston Sustainability:  We believe that Reston encompasses all of the land within the Transit Station corridor area.  All new development in this area should be incorporated into either RA or RTCA, according to their agreed upon membership boundaries.

2.  Environmental Sustainability:   Consistent with Reston’s history of forward thinking on environmental stewardship and sustainability, we believe that future development in Reston should meet the highest feasible environmental standards, ranging from the protection or restoration of natural amenities, to the use of the best environmental practices in development design and materials.

3.  Flexibility:  We appreciate the need for moderate flexibility in planning over a two-decade timeframe, but we do not support Plan language that would allow significant variation or increase from the density/intensity and land use mix objectives laid out in the Preferred Development Scenario (Scenario G). 

4.  Open Spaces, Parks, and Recreation:  In order to sustain Reston’s existing character and reputation as a model planned community, we believe the new Comprehensive Plan must assure the provision of adequate high-quality, publicly accessible open space, parks,  natural areas, and recreational facilities within the Phase 1 area, to accommodate Reston’s residents and employees.

5.  Mobility:  We believe the people of Reston must have reasonable cross-community driving, biking and walking conditions, especially during peak periods, both within and near the Phase 1 area.  The following are crucial to maintain a balance between land use and transportation:  (1) road, bicycle, pedestrian and transit improvements;  (2) transportation demand management (TDM) measures; and (3) adherence to the Preferred Development Scenario mix of uses and maximum level  of development.

6.  Implementation:  We believe the people of Reston must have strong guarantees that the infrastructure needed to support the increased level of development and continuation of Reston’s high quality of life  will be completed concurrently with development, and paid for, on a fair, pro rata basis,  by those who will profit from the development.

The joint effort by RCA, RA, and ARCH is a first in the half-century history of Reston.  It reflects the importance that all three organizations attach to the development of a new Reston Comprehensive Plan that protects and advances the quality of life in Reston in areas critical to the community.

Representatives of the the community organizations will present a panel discussion and Q&A opportunity in a joint community forum at the Reston Association headquarters at 7PM on Thursday, October 17, 2013.  Everyone is invited to attend, learn, inquire, and act.  Please join us.