RUDL Meeting with RA Neighborhood Advisory Committee, April 1, 2010

On 1 April Kathy Kaplan and Dick Rogers met with the RA Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC), formerly called the cluster and condo advisory committee. Present were 8 members including Chair Mai Huyndh and RA staff liaison Arlene Whittick. RA Board liaison Cheryl Beamer was not present.

The NAC was very interested and receptive to the work of Reston 2020 and its Residential, Urban Design and Livability Sub-committee (RUDL). The members listened intently as we explained the seriousness for Reston of the master planning process, the division in the Task force, and the potential implications for clusters and condos in Reston.

They were somewhat puzzled about how common land could be threatened for development, thinking that “we are Reston and it’s protected.” We explained how possible changes to the PRC and zoning might work.

They were generally appalled by the prospect of development of open land such as the Herndon-Monroe wetlands. However, one wondered if the wetlands should not undergo high density development in view of its location near the Metro station.

Future

We encouraged the Committee to designate one of its members as liaison with RUDL. The Committee chair said they would do this. We encouraged them to attend some future meetings of RUDL, 2020 and the Task Force to get a better understanding of the planning process. Several were interested.

In view of the RA Board resolution in December that called on the NAC to organize “workshops” of residents surrounding Village Centers to develop recommendations for future development of the Village Centers, we noted that we had similar interests and could join forces. We suggested a joint approach to the County to organize one of the Community meetings on this basis.

The NAC noted that it had tentative plans to for a community outreach meeting on planning to latter in May. We indicated interest in cooperating on this.

Comment:

A useful, cooperative session. The NAC does not appear until now to have focused on the planning process or its implications. They were getting educated and showed a keen interest.

Staff liaison Arlene Whittick said she had cooperated with the County on drawing up a map of Reston clusters and condos and appeared to have some knowledge of the county’s interest in Reston redevelopment.

She said the NAC planned to have its usual legal session in June. Homeowner Association expert and lawyer Lusi Anna Trigiana will present.