Letter: Rescue Reston Input for Phase 2 Reston Master Plan

Jul 15, 2014 — Rescue Reston input for Phase II

Dear Reston Master Plan Special Study Planners:

Reston National Golf Course is restricted under the Reston Master Plan to use as “open space,” such as a park, nature center or golf course.

We greatly appreciate that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors supported their Department of Planning and Zoning’s determination regarding the previously proposed development of Reston National Golf Course. Rescue Reston stands firm in our commitment to defend Reston's open space, and with the previously stated support of our cause from the Reston Association and the guidance of our legal representatives, we will actively defend the current zoning should any alternative use be proposed.

According to page 22 of http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/comprehensiveplan/policyplan/parksrec.pdf, the County has a standard of one hole of golf for every 3,200 citizens. Using a projected Reston population of 114,118 we need 36 holes. Golf is the only County Park Facilities Standard that Reston already meets, and at no expense to taxpayers. Reston has two privately owned, publicly accessible golf courses that were part of Reston’s original design. These urban golf courses add value to the homes and businesses in Reston.

The development of Reston National Golf Course would be detrimental to the very thing that makes Reston special—a beautiful, thriving and diverse community achieved through well-balanced planning that matches available space and infrastructure with residents. Further development of this open space (by which we mean green space – not sidewalk cafes which developers call “open space”) would weaken our current infrastructure, overburden the existing roads, add additional students to Reston schools already operating at capacity, and diminish our quality of life.

Rescue Reston has over 3,860 signers on the combined paper and online petitions to uphold the zoning for Reston National Golf Course. Should a new threat arise – this number will grow dramatically. As John Varner of Reston commented on the online petition just 5 days ago: “Quality of life. Green space and recreation is important to city dwellers.”

Respectfully submitted,

Connie Hartke, President
Rescue Reston