RCA Letter to Supervisor Hudgins Regarding the Draft Phase 2 Reston Master Plan, May 28, 2015

From: Sridhar Ganesan

Subject: Reaching out to you about an amendment to the Master Plan, Phase II document

Date: May 28, 2015 at 5:08:48 PM EDT

To: "Hudgins, Catherine M." <Catherine.Hudgins@fairfaxcounty.gov>

Cc: Goldie Harrison <Goldie.Harrison@fairfaxcounty.gov>, John Hanley

Dear Supervisor Hudgins,

Hope you are doing well.  Knowing the kind of person that you are, I am sure you have thrown yourself fully back into County work. All of us at Reston Citizens Association appreciate your dedication to the County and the work you do for your constituents.

I am reaching out to you because we are concerned about a last minute change in the Reston Master Plan, Phase II, that would essentially remove one of the critical steps that any redevelopment ideas for Reston’s Village Centers will have to go through.  The new recommendations by the Planning Commission has dropped the need for comprehensive plan amendment for any redevelopment of Village Centers, but we think it is critical that we retain that requirement. Retaining the step of going through a Plan amendment requirement would provide more time and opportunity to educate the community on changes that are being contemplated and the citizens more time to constructively respond.  

Moreover, as Reston is a Planned Residential Community under the County's Planned Development District Regulations, so far it has been clear that a comprehensive plan amendment would be required for redevelopment of Village Center.  We have shared this information with the public through our blogs (our 411 series of documents on our website) and other communications as part of the Phase II public forums as well as during the intense activities around the Reston National Golf course issue.  

It is also disconcerting to see that the language does not include the phrase “green open space” in addition to plazas with reference to central gathering places. We think that incorporating specific language on “green open space” would be more in keeping with Reston’s planning principles.  We also think that it would be important to have some language on permitted density at the Village Centers.  

I would appreciate it very much if these could be addressed before the June 2 vote by the Board of Supervisors.  I know there is very little time left, but I would be happy to stop by your office or meet at any other place of choice to discuss this with you before then, weekday or weekend.  

Thank you very much for your attention.

With best wishes,

Sincerely,

Sridhar Ganesan
President, Reston Citizens Association