| RA
Focuses on Density |
By Jackie Allder
Observer Staff Writer |
| Reston Association board members voted Monday to recommend
against changing the population factors that determine the
density cap until the issue is more thoroughly reviewed. |
| In the 4-2 vote, RA president Jennifer Blackwell and directors
Rick Beyer, Robin Smyers and Tim McMahon supported the establishment
of a task force to look at the issue. "At this time,
we think a review process should be undertaken before the
numbers are changed," Blackwell said. Directors Bill
Keefe and Mark Watts voted against the proposal. |
| Under the Planned Residential Community district regulations,
Reston's density cap is 13 people per square acre and estimates
place Reston's density at 11.68 people per square acre. Based
on those numbers, Reston has enough density remaining to accommodate
8,212 people, or another 4,106 residential units. |
| County staff has recommended a modification to the density
by revising the "population factors" used to calculate
average household size. According to statistics from the U.S.
Census Bureau and county estimates, the average household
has decreased in numbers. |
| "I think the density factors really need to be changed
to reflect reality," said Frank de la Fe, Hunter Mill's
planning commissioner. He said he is concerned the ordinance
could be challenged in court and "the judge just throws
out the whole thing." |
| Another proposed change to the PRC would require plans to
go through the public legislative process. Currently, the
planning process only requires administrative approval and
does not have to be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors in
a public hearing. RA board members unanimously supported that
change, which would allow them more input in the development
process. |
| The board listened to reports from the Environmental Advisory,
Transportation Advisory and Planning and Zoning committees,
as well as comments from eight members of the community, before
finalizing their recommendations. |
| Several residents said they did not think the county should
change the population factors now. |
| "The PRC needs to be thoroughly revised and then after
that, it should be decided whether the density factor needs
to change," said Marion Stillson, a Reston resident.
Stillson cited traffic problems as one of her top concerns
of increasing the density. |
| Robert Goudie, chairman of the Alliance of Reston Clusters
and Homeowners issues committee, said ARCH did not have a
position favoring or opposing the dwelling occupancy factors,
but they thought there should be a "comprehensive holistic
look" at the issue. |
| "There's not yet community consensus on this,"
he said. "I think we have a better chance at developing
a community consensus by working with a task force."
|
| The Fairfax County Planning Commission is scheduled to review
the proposed amendment to the PRC district Thursday, Feb.
22, at 8:15 p.m. The amendments are scheduled to move before
the Board of Supervisors March 26. |
