Can Reston become the "Ideal Community?"

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has published the results of its latest national survey of community preferences.  Although NAR's press release highlights a preference for mixed-use communities (such as we may expect in the Dulles Corridor), the actual report highlights an ambivalence between higher density mixed-use use communities and retail-rich suburban single-family communities. 

With good planning and good luck, Reston could become the "Ideal Community" as the results of this survey suggest, offering both mixed-use and more traditional residential models.  Reston is a traditional suburban community (with all the bonuses of exceptional planning, including extensive open space and other amenities) with easy access to both day-to-day shopping at nearby village centers and a growing retail center in Reston Town Center. Now, a well-balanced and reasonable new Comprehensive Plan that is equally well implemented for the Dulles Corridor could provide the high-density mixed use that a newer generation is seeking.

Here is the key slide in this report on that conclusion:

 

To see the full presentation, click here.

For complete background, here is the link to the NAR webpage.

There are clearly a number of issues in getting the urban mixed-use portion of this planning right, including congestion, sustainability, the mix of uses, infrastructure and amenities, open space and recreation, etc.  But we have the opportunity if the County to make Reston an "Ideal Community" if the County will permit it.