Reston Town Center North Plan Approved; Buildings Still Need Board Review

RESTON, VA — Fairfax County supervisors approved the framework for redeveloping Reston Town Center North on Tuesday, advancing plans for a new regional library, a replacement homeless shelter, housing and a Central Green while leaving individual buildings for future approval.

The Sept. 15 vote approved apackage of zoning applications and development plans establishing streets, development blocks, parks and permitted uses for the joint Fairfax County and Inova Health Care Services project.

No opposition was recorded in the voice vote. Chairman Jeff McKay (D-At-Large) and Supervisor Jimmy Bierman (D-Dranesville) recused themselves because of their service on Inova bodies.

“This is a big step,” Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) said before making the approval motion. “We're not through the process for getting redevelopment all the way through.”

Alcorn said the action would enable a land swap between the county and Inova and move Reston closer to a new regional library and a new homeless shelter with permanent supportive housing.

New Streets, Parks And Housing

County planner Sunny Yang described an 11-block redevelopment bordered by Baron Cameron Avenue, Town Center Parkway, New Dominion Parkway and Fountain Drive.

Public uses planned for the western portion include a school, library, health and human services facilities, an athletic field and a recreation center. Blocks on the eastern side would accommodate mixed uses, primarily residential, with up to 1,000 homes, excluding bonus density.

A roughly 3.6-acre park would sit at the center of the development. The plan also establishes a street grid and improvements for people walking and biking.

The approval follows the Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation in July, previously reported by Patch. That hearing included support from the Reston Association, which sought additional commitments on affordable housing, sustainability and completion of the Central Green.

At Tuesday’s supervisors hearing, no members of the public offered testimony. Vice Chair Kathy Smith (D-Sully), who presided during the discussion, said no speakers had signed up, and the clerk reported no callers.

Library And Shelter Expected In First Phase

Tim Sampson, representing the applicants, said the anticipated first phase includes the new Reston Regional Library, relocation of the Embry Rucker Community Shelter, initial work on the Central Green and associated streets.

He said the county and Inova’s existing property boundaries need to be rearranged to accommodate redevelopment. The approved framework sets up the long-planned land exchange and identifies where future uses would go.

RELATED: Reston Town Center North Redevelopment Clears Planning Commission

Sampson emphasized that building designs remain subject to additional applications. When Alcorn asked whether buildings would require future rezonings, Sampson clarified that they would instead return through updates to the planned residential community plans.

“So all the buildings will come back for approval by the board,” Sampson said.

Alcorn urged those working on the redevelopment to keep moving.

“There is still a good amount of work to be done, so let's don't lose any momentum,” he said.

Two Supervisors Recuse Themselves

McKay disclosed that he serves without compensation on the Inova Health System Foundation Board of Trustees. Bierman said he serves without compensation on Inova’s Health Care Quality and Reliability Committee.

Both said their recusals were voluntary, taken out of caution and not legally required. Neither participated in the hearing’s discussion or vote.

Alcorn’s motion also approved modifications to screening and barrier requirements for the Hunter Mill Government Center site and a waiver allowing trails and walkways to follow the approved development plan.