REMINDER: Reston 2020 Committee Meeting, Friday, January 26, 7PM, RA HQ

This is just to remind everyone who wishes to come that the RCA Reston 2020 Committee will be meeting Friday evening, February 26, at 7PM, at the RA Headquarters Conference Room.

Our updated agenda is as follows:

1. Status and direction of Community Working Groups

2. Preparation for the TF Community Meeting on Herndon-Monroe TOD area, including brief presentation of draft application of TOD policy to Reston, and Polo Fields Association concerns

3. Developing a community outreach communications strategy

4. Other business, including land use attorneys on constraints on common land sales and "by-right" development

All Reston citizens are welcome to attend and participate. This is an "open meeting" in the truest sense of the phrase.

Terry Maynard
Reston 2020

Reston Task Force Chairman Letter Blows Off Proposed Community Advisory Groups

In a letter to members of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force, Chairman Patty Nicoson blew off the RCA Reston 2020 Committee's proposal to create Community Advisory Groups to help the panel cope with the tough issues it is addressing. As reported in January:

The proposal calls for the creation of six Work Groups to assist the task force by:
• Researching previous Fairfax and other jurisdiction studies relevant to the issues assigned to them by the Task Force
• Working with outside experts to obtain their views on their assigned issues
• Organizing field trips to inspect and better understand the areas affected by the planning
• Performing other tasks assigned by the Task Force through its chair.

The six proposed Work Groups are:
• Transportation
• Environment
• Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities
• Residential & Housing
• Urban Design and Livability
• Implementation and Phasing

The Work Groups will prepare brief written reports and presentations on what they learn and provide the Task Force with their views

As an alternative, the chairman proposed the following:

I would like to create a subgroup of the task force to help with designing communication strategies, as well as opportunities for engaging the community. Let's call it a Communication/Community Engagement subcommittee. This group would be made up of task force members and invite the participation of others such as the representatives of Reston Association, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, and the Reston Town Center Association. . . I think that we should wait on appointing any additional formal groups until such time as we feel a given issue needs to be explored in greater depth.

It is not unnoticed that the chairman specifically excluded two leading Reston-wide citizens civic organizations, the Alliance of Reston Clusters and Homeowners (ARCH) and the Reston Citizens Association (RCA), both of which include a significant number of Restonians who are not members of Reston Association. Moreover, two of the three organizations she identifies for this "engagement" subcommittee represent business interests whose members sell things in Reston, but may or may not be residents here.

The undated (the filename indicates "020510"--presumably the date), unsigned, unofficial letter goes on to suggest, "Let’s discuss this further at our next meeting." That meeting is this evening at the RCC--Lake Anne. It's not on the agenda, but who knows what topics will actually be discussed.

As for the RCA Reston 2020 Committee, I am proud to say that the committee will proceed with its groups comprised of Reston citizen volunteers. They will study the issues that are central to potential changes in the Reston area's Comprehensive Plan and provide reports and, if briefings if allowed, to the task force. The reports will be focused, balanced, and comprehensive, and fill a vacuum left by the inability of an overworked and understaffed DPZ to provide the support the task force and Restonians deserve. If the task force cares about the implications of its Comprehensive Plan recommendations, it will use these reports in its future deliberations.

Below is the full text of the chairman's letter.

Nicoson on TF Communications Strategies

Terry Maynard
Reston, VA

Official Meeting Summary: Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force Meeting, January 12, 2010

Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force
Meeting Summary


January 12, 2010, 7:00 PM.
Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston

Meeting began at 7 PM with Chairman Patty Nicoson asking members to reintroduce themselves due to the addition of several new members subsequent to the initial Task Force meeting.

Public Comment Period (7:10)
Limited to 2 minutes/person.
• Kathy Kaplan & Guy Rando compared Reston’s core development with Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and commented they want more roads and connections like R-B corridor has.
• Dick Stillson (Reston Citizen’s Association member, Reston 2020 Committee co-chair) suggested “working groups” to assist the Task Force. As outlined, the working groups are not under the authority of their respective affiliated civic groups. He suggested this would allow serious input (from wider citizenry) to assist the Task Force.
• Joe Stowers discussed his work regarding urbanizing Reston. He pointed out that only the Reston Town Center has been designed from the outset to be an urban place.
• Rob Whitfield would like the Task Force to understand the full context of what’s going forward at the Wiehle Avenue Transit Station (public-private rezoning case).

Administrative Items (7:20)
• Review of revised Task Force schedule.
• Bob Simon expressed concern that the schedule does not adequately address revitalization in Lake Anne Village Center’s. Heidi Merkel (Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning) recommended that follow-up on Lake Anne should be with County’s Office of Community Revitalization and Reinvestment.
• Heidi reviewed the details of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its influence on the Task Force’s work. This was followed by discussion among the Task Force regarding the constraints. There was concern from several Task Force members that their interaction with the wider community and civic groups might be negatively impacted by FOIA rules. They suggested that Heidi have the County Attorney’s office provide a 1-page guidelines sheet on FOIA rules for the Task Force.

Overview of Existing Comprehensive Plan Recommendations (7:50)
• Heidi gave a PowerPoint presentation on existing Comprehensive Plan Recommendations. It included:
. o Classic Planning Process
. o Task Force’s Charge
. o Trends-Future Growth
. o County’s Comprehensive Plan’s Organization
. oo Policy Plan
. oo Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines
. oo Area Plans

Work Groups (9:10)
• There was discussion among the Task Force of a proposal by several Reston civic groups to offer their idea for “Community Work Groups” to facilitate the work of the Task Force.
• The Chairman asked Task Force members for their opinions of the concept. After hearing from all members who wished to comment, the Task Force discussed some pros and cons of creating such groups.
• Several of the Task Force members stated the inclusion of work groups is a essential to obtaining real and serious input from the community as well as taking full advantage of the varied expertise within the community.
• Many Task Force members expressed opinions that the work groups are unnecessary or would not work. The constrained schedule was cited as one of the reasons that several TF members felt the work group concept should not be adopted at this time. They referred to the duration of the Tysons Study as something to avoid. Additionally, several members of the Task Force noted that there are many opportunities for public input and that the panel is composed of many experts/professionals who were appointed by the supervisor to represent the community.
• No decision was made on the Work Groups idea.

Upcoming Meetings (9:45)
• Heidi outlined what will be covered at the upcoming “Planning Principles” meeting on 01-26-10.
• Mark Looney suggested that the suggested Work Groups and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (the group he’s representing) and any other interested groups could meet before the next meeting and analyze what was presented about the County’s current Comprehensive Plan as well as Reston’s founding planning principles. He offered to lead this effort in order to keep the idea of the Work Groups viable if the Task Force decides to adopt the proposal.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM.

AGENDA: Reston 2020 Committee Meeting, 7 PM, February 26, RA HQ

The Reston 2020 Committee will meet at RA Headquarters on Friday, February 26, at 7PM. The current agenda items are:

1. Progress report & discussion on organizing Community Working Groups

2. Preparation for Task Force Community Meeting on the Herndon-Monroe Metro Station area (at 9AM, Saturday, January 27, Langston Hughes Intermediate School)

3. Improving outreach to the public

4. Other business.

Offering Residents a Voice, Reston Connection, February 17, 2010

RA, RCA push their way into Reston master planning process, encouraging citizen participation.

By Mike DiCicco
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Reston Association and other groups have pushed since last fall to have citizen advisory groups included in the Reston Master Plan Special Study process, which is being guided by a task force appointed around the beginning of December. "Well, the plan didn’t fly. The task force didn’t agree. But that didn’t stop us," Dick Stillson, co-chair of the Reston Citizens Association’s Reston 2020 Committee, said at an RA Board work session Saturday morning, Feb. 13. . . .

For the rest of this story, click here.

Restonian Blog Picks Up on Reston 2020 Efforts to Address Key Planning Issues

In his own inimitable style, Restonian at the Restonian blog points out some of the issues the Reston 2020 Committee is wrestling with and its outreach for citizen participation in Commmunity Working Groups to address key Reston planning issues.

Here's how he starts:

What, with the snow and the snow and the snow and the digging out from the snow, it's been a while since we've touched on the Reston Master Plan. As long speculated, the official and succinctly named Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force has opted not to formally incorporate the community work groups proposed by Reston 2020. So it will trudge onward....:

As another late, great blogger, er, journalist used to say, "And now for the rest of the story...Page 2" Read the Restonian's full remarks here.

INVITATION: Reston 2020 Committee Looking for Working Group Volunteers

Enclosed for your information is an invitation from Reston 2020 Committee Co-Chair Richard Stillson to participate in the planning for Reston's future. As noted, the Reston 2020 committee is creating several working groups to look at key Reston development issues to assist the ongoing Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force. Here are the details:

The Reston 2020 Committee is a committee of the Reston Citizens Association which monitors land use planning in Reston. Currently, we are most involved with monitoring and helping the Task Force of the Reston Master Plan Special Study. As a way to better educate ourselves and provide a way for many people to participate in the planning process, we are forming working groups concerning several important areas that the Task Force will be considering. These are:

• Transportation;
• Environment;
• Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities;
• Residential and Urban Design, and Livability.

We hope the groups will read studies concerning their topics that have been done on other areas, beginning with the Tyson’s Corner Planning Task Force, invite outside experts to obtain their views, and organize field trips to inspect and better understand the areas affected by the planning. They will work closely with the advisory committees of the Reston Association who are working on similar topics. They will prepare brief written reports and presentations on what they learn and provide the Task Force with their views.

We hope that you may be interested in participating in one of the groups. They will meet at least once per month and will be chaired by a member of the 2020 Committee. It will require some commitment of time and effort over the next several months but it will be well worth it to be able to contribute to the planning process. Please e-mail me by February 19 if you are interested and state which of the groups you would like to join. Thank you.

Dick Stillson
Co-Chair, RCA’s Reston 2020 Committee
E-mail: rts@point0.net

Notes from Reston 2020 Meeting, February 4, 2010

The meeting of the Reston 2020 Committee was called to order at 7:05 PM. More than 20 committee members and other participants were present.

Agenda Item #1: Planning next steps for Working Groups

Dick Stillson, Reston 2020 co-chair, started by noting that it appears that the community will have to move forward on its own to support the task force because the task force has not further considered the Reston 2020 Community Work Group (CWG) proposal per a conversation with is chair, Patty Nicoson. She offered a deficient alternative of task force member-led special topic groups on matters peripheral to the task force’s primary agenda. In a conversation with Stillson Feb. 3rd, Paul Thomas, the Reston Association Board’s member of the Task Force, said that the RA Board had charged its key committees to support the task force through the RA Board. He suggested that Reston 2020 proceed with its specific studies and write papers to the task force, preferably endorsed by all three key Reston civic groups (RA, RCA, & ARCH). He added that RA’s committees could serve as advisory groups on important issues and everyone is welcome to contribute. He found that committees were not enthusiastic about this approach. The issue is whether Reston 2020 should act independently, coordinate, or join with the RA committees in their efforts.

An extended discussion ensued on how best to proceed in making the needs of Reston’s citizens known to the task force. Among the ideas were: setting up the CWGs using (among others) volunteers from among the Land Use College participants, need to integrate the various citizens’ proposed planning principles, public demonstrations, joining the RA efforts, seeking legal assistance to stop changes, etc. Some key points made in the discussion included:
• Time is of the essence. For largely administrative reasons, RA is having difficulty launching its efforts. When RA moves forward, Reston 2020 ought to try to coordinate efforts with them.
• The civic groups would be far more effective if they all worked together. They certainly shouldn’t disagree in public.
• It is extremely difficult to communicate with and mobilize Reston’s population to act. Two instances in recent memory where mobilizing the public was effective: Reston South Park N’ Ride and Brown’s Chapel recreation center proposal. Need to understand—and use—the techniques that made those efforts effective. The focal point for Restonians’ influence should be the County, which ultimately decides what happens.
• Even working independently, each Reston group could offer to endorse the proposal put forth by others. RCA President Marion Stillson has already made this offer on behalf of RCA.
• We do not have a sufficient legal understanding to move forward alone. Although we would be best served by working within the process, we need an attorney who knows land use laws and regulations (e.g.—does FAR include parking?) and is willing to provide pro bono assistance.

Actions: Those present moved, seconded, and approved in near unanimity the following motions:

1. Reston 2020 Committee will:
a. Create several Community Working Groups (CWG) that draw from Land Use College (LUC) participants and other volunteers. (Follow-up: Dick Stillson will contact LUC participants to seek volunteers to work on the CWGs and will be the process of identifying interim working group chairs.)
b. Ask each CWG to assign one person to attend and participate in each counterpart RA or other civic group committee effort—and encourage broader CWG participation. Other civic group committees would be encouraged to reciprocate by participating in each CWG.
c. Encourage the RCA Board to endorse other civic groups’ Reston planning positions, and it encourages other civic groups to reciprocate.

2. Reston 2020 Committee will integrate all available citizens’ proposed Reston planning principles for committee and RCA Board approval. (Follow-up: Davood Sagherian to draft over the weekend.)

3. Reston 2020 Committee will identify attorneys who may be able to provide pro bono legal assistance on land use matters. (Dan Maguire and Dick Stillson)

Agenda Item #2: Handling independent papers on Reston planning (e.g.—Dave Edwards’ draft transportation paper)

Dick Stillson noted that the committee had received an excellent draft paper on Reston transportation issues that, among other topics, addressed implementation issues such as phasing and financing of transportation requirements. Among its proposals is the creation of a tax increment policy to fund transportation needs. This would reserve for financing Reston infrastructure a portion of increases in property taxes due to development in Reston. A lengthy discussion followed concerning the financing arrangements. Still, the issue was how to handle this and other independently prepared papers. Dave Edwards noted that the paper was still a draft and intended primarily for the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. A key problem is that the task force is not addressing implementation issues.

Action: It was moved, seconded, and nearly unanimously approved to refer such papers to the appropriate working group for their consideration. (In this case, the appropriate working groups would be Transportation and Implementation.)

Agenda Item #3: Potential action regarding the Comstock Wiehle Station Area proposal

Dick Stillson introduced the topic of whether the Reston 2020 Committee should do anything about the Comstock Wiehle Station Area proposal and, if so, what. Notice was made of Terry Maynard’s paper on the proposal’s lack of fit with the proposed planning principles. All agreed that the proposal did not reflect Restonians’ values or expectations for transit-oriented development (TOD) along the Dulles Corridor. There was some question whether “FAR” included above ground parking, which basically doubles the density of the project proposal. It was noted that the matter would be before the February 8 (now postponed to February 15 due to snow) meeting of the Reston Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee, and that they are not pleased with the proposal. There was general agreement that Restonians should voice their concerns to the committee, the Planning Commission (meets on March 25 re the proposal), and subsequently to the Board of Supervisors.

Actions: The following were moved, seconded, and approved by those present:

1. The Committee would try to determine through pro bono legal counsel whether above ground parking counted as FAR in Fairfax County. (Dan Maguire)

2. The Committee would generate and compile alternative architectural ideas on how the site could be developed in a manner that met Restonians’ expectations. (Guy Rando)


A motion was made, seconded, and passed to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 PM.

Letter: Reston Future Begins Now, Robert E. Simon, Reston Connection, January 26, 2010

To the Editor:

In his column "Master Plan-Lines Are Drawn," Reston Connection, Jan. 20-26 John Lovaas once again impugns the integrity of those with whom he disagrees. Mr. Lovaas says, "Let’s face it: developer and Fairfax County interests lie in a plan maximizing new construction, the developer for profit, the resource-strapped county to broaden its tax base." It is impossible to have a rational discussion with someone who insists on such a premise. And it is really difficult to see Mr. Lovaas embracing any change.

Is it inconceivable that developers and county officials might have the community’s best interests at heart? And isn’t it true that they are much more familiar with the financial realities and construction and zoning issues than the average citizen? Have we not been told that the Washington metropolitan area will experience population growth of some 2,000,000 people over the next 20 years? Can anyone believe that a reasonable share of that increase will not devolve to our county and to Reston? Be sure that if we don’t plan to locate future residents where it is in our best interest to have them, unmanaged growth will occur and likely in a manner that is destructive to our community fabric.

In presenting a RCA "Reston 2020" alternative to the County Task Force that has only just begun its work, according to Mr. Lovaas, Mike Corrigan contended that developers are over-represented on the County’s Task Force. The fact is that of the 40 appointed Task Force members and alternate members, only 11 are developers; and of these, five are Reston residents. (Although I have retired, I included myself as one of the 11.) In view of the mission, it could be said that we developers are under-represented — certainly not over-represented.

Finally, I apologize for any intemperate remarks I made at the meeting that may have offended. While not an excuse, I am wildly impatient for there to be movement toward revitalization. Discussions began with regard to revitalization more than 10 years ago during good economic times. Delays in any real movement toward revitalization find us now in economic times that make revitalization more difficult. While organizations such as the Reston 2020 group have every right to make their views known to the County Task Force and the community at large, it feels very much, to me at least, like another delaying tactic of the kind that has kept anything meaningful from happening to date. I certainly hope I am wrong.

Robert E. Simon
Reston Founder

Continuing Delays in County Support to Reston Planning Task Force Effort

Yesterday, County staff reported that it is still compiling information for the Reston Existing Conditions report promised last year as part of the ongoing Reston planning effort. This report had been first scheduled for delivery in September 2009, prior to the launch of the Reston planning task force, then by December in the memorandum laying out a schedule for the task force effort (see enclosure, Appendix 3), and then again at the January 12 task force meeting. The report would establish a baseline of existing business, office, and residential structures currently in Reston. The document is essential in understanding the implications of the numerous changes expected to be proposed in the Comprehensive Plan by the Reston planning task force in the months ahead.

County planners say they have a good handle on the current residences and probably businesses & office space, but they are not finished researching and assessing what has been approved or what the current Comprehensive Plan allows. The latter assessments will provide greater clarity and confidence about what its coming according to County officials. The goal is to publish an "existing conditions and trends" report that would incorporate all this information and analysis.

Officials indicate the existing conditions and trends report will be available well before the Task Force starts making decisions. The task force's current schedule calls for it to decide on recommendations for the Dulles Corridor and Reston Town Center by this summer. Although the specific time frame for the release has not been established, staff expects to be able to inform the Task Force of its schedule soon.

In another area of planned County support for the task force, the County has not yet made available funding requested by the Department of Planning and Zoning to provide consulting assistance to the task force effort. Jim Zook, head of the DPZ, had requested between $200,000-$250,000 for these services in a memorandum in June 30, 2009, proposing the creation of the Reston planning task force. As outlined in the memorandum, the specific areas in which the County staff was seeking support included:
* jobs and housing forecasting;
* community participation and public outreach assistance;
* transportation analysis; and
* urban design assistance.
In the June memorandum, Mr. Zook stated, "Staff’s ability to conduct this study in the manner and time frame outlined in this memorandum is highly dependent upon the ability to call upon this outside consultant assistance." (p. 3, see enclosure below)

Reston citizens groups share the County staff's concerns about the issues raised in this memorandum. The three substantive topics on this list are among the topics identified in the Reston 2020 Committee's Community Work Group proposal, including working groups on transportation; environment; parks, recreation and public facilities; residential & housing; urban design and livability; and implementation and phasing. The Committee presented its proposal at the January 12 task force meeting. Similarly, the Reston Association Board of Directors recently approved a proposal to mobilize its committees, including Planning and Zoning, Design Review, Environmental, and Transportation, among others, to support the task force effort. The Task Force has not yet decided to work with these community groups.

According to County officials, although the DPZ does not yet have the funds requested for consulting assistance, there is some reason for optimism that some funding will be available in fiscal year 2011 beginning in July 2010. The funding request was generally focused on the 2011 budget proposal which will be out in a couple of weeks. Unlike many other departments, the DPZ only went through one round of budget cuts in the runup to this budget and it remains hopeful funding will be available. If the funds are forthcoming, DPZ will ask George Mason University to do a forecast of employment and residential growth for the Dulles corridor Metro station areas. It performed a similar task on Tysons Corner as part of the ongoing planning effort there. The County's Department of Transportation will use its inhouse staff and may call on some outside help if needed to address transportation issues.

County staff is concerned about the whole public communications effort associated with the Reston Task Force. Staff officials believe it is critical to have a strong communications effort, and the approved task force proposal called on the task force effort to encourage community input and participation. Nonetheless, according to County officials, we will have to wait and see how the public engagement is carried out. Some resources are available for communications outreach, such as inhouse facilitators, but the staff may need some assistance with public outreach. At this time, no decisions have been reached yet.

UPDATE: The June 30, 2009, memorandum from Jim Zook, DPZ, originally found on the Reston Master Plan Special Study webpage on the County's official website, has been removed from that webpage. Nonetheless, it is available through a search of the County website as a public record.


Proposed Scope & Schedule for Reston Study--Zook--063009

Meeting: Reston 2020 Committee, Brown's Chapel, 7 PM, Monday, January 18, 2010,

The next meeting of the Reston 2020 Committee will be at 7PM, Monday, January 18, 2010, at Brown's Chapel. The meeting agenda includes:

1. Review of draft Reston Planning Principles paper.

2. Review draft presentation to the Task Force by R2020 Co-Chair Dick Stilson.

3. Discuss next steps on Community Work Groups.

4. Discuss broader role for Committee blog.

Minutes: Reston 2020 Committee Public Meeting, January 7, 2010

The RCA 2020 Committee, chaired by Dick Stillson, met on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at RCC Lake Anne. In attendance were Dick Stillson, Chair, Cindy Smethers, D.D. Rogers, Dan McGuire, Dave Edwards, Diane Blust, Guy Rando, John Lovaas, Kathy Kaplan, Marion Stillson, Rob Whitfield, Tammy Petrine, Terry Maynard, Mike Corrigan, Paul Thomas, Jerry Volloy, Terri Phillips, Herb Basik, and C.J. Basik.

The first order of business was a discussion of the committee’s proposal for Community Advisory Groups to be put before the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force (RMPSSTF). The county and task force preferred the term “working group” rather than “advisory group” and the name was changed in the proposal. Paul Thomas confirmed that the RA Board of Directors had tasked the various RA Advisory Committees to generate recommendations to the Task Force in the topics of the individual committees. The committee reviewed the draft document on working groups and decided to reduce the original eight groups to five: 1) transportation, 2) infrastructure and implementation, 3) environment, 4) parks, recreation and public facilities, and 5) urban design. All agreed that the pertinent RA advisory groups and the Land Use College participants would be logical organizations from which to begin to draw members and/or leaders for the working groups. After a wide ranging discussion on the /working groups, a subcommittee was formed consisting of Dick Stillson, Mike Corrigan, Dave Edwards and Terry Maynard to draft a paper on proposed working groups for presentation to the RMPSSTF at the January 12, 2010 meeting.

Secondly, the committee discussed the planning principles to be drafted and presented to the RMPSSTF. There was general agreement that the principles to be proposed by the committee would be based on Bob Simon’s original principles for Reston, but that they would need to be updated for the 21st century and spelled out in a bit more detail. Committee members were reminded that several documents with suggested principles language had been circulated to the membership: papers from John Lovaas, Dick Rogers and Terry Maynard, along with the ARCH statement of principles circulated by Jerry Volloy. John Lovaas, Dick Rogers and Herb Basik agreed to form a subcommittee to draft the new principles document.

Terry Maynard handed out copies of the draft Reston 2020 Blog and asked for comments, corrections and input. After a brief discussion of other methods of group communication/opinion gathering, the committee agreed the proposed blog would best fit our needs. There was general agreement we wanted the blog to be open to all members of the community and that we wanted individuals to be able to post comments to the blog. Committee members should communicate directly with Terry regarding input for the blog.

Terri Phillips raised the use of Twitter as a mechanism to spread the word about the work of Reston 2020 and the RMPSSTF. She will investigate this issue and report back to the committee.

The date and time of the next meeting will be announced via email, the committee blog, and the county website.

Reston 2020 Draft Working Group Proposal, January 11, 2010

Enclosed below is the text of the proposal the Reston 2020 Committee will be putting before the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force at its meeting this evening. The proposal calls for the creation of six Work Groups to assist the task force by:
• Researching previous Fairfax and other jurisdiction studies relevant to the issues assigned to them by the Task Force
• Working with outside experts to obtain their views on their assigned issues
• Organizing field trips to inspect and better understand the areas affected by the planning
• Performing other tasks assigned by the Task Force through its chair.

The six proposed Work Groups are:
• Transportation
• Environment
• Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities
• Residential & Housing
• Urban Design and Livability
• Implementation and Phasing

The Work Groups will prepare brief written reports and presentations on what they learn and provide the Task Force with their views. The Work Groups will enable the Task Force to achieve a level of understanding of the issues and the community views on those issues that would be difficult to obtain with the limited time and resources available to the Task Force members and the supporting county staff.

Each Work Group plan describes the initial issues the group will address. The Work Groups are expected to view these issues from the perspective of the overall impact of the revised Reston Master plan, while concentrating on the specific geographic areas considered in each Phase of the Task Force.

UPDATE: To be clear, this proposal was written by a small group of volunteers within the Reston 2020 Committee based on contributions from many interested Restonians.


Reston 2020 Draft Work Group Plan Jan 11 2010[1]