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Community News
• RESCHEDULED: Reston Association – Board/Committee Leadership Work Session on Reston Master Plan Special Study
• Special Board Meeting – Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
• RESCHEDULED: Freezin’ for a Reason – Take the Polar Dip
Work
• Special events assistant opening
• Camps openings
• Aquatics job openings
Play
• Early February Bird Walk
• Owl Moon
• Fireside Fables
• Organic Gardening Workshop
• Ice Skating at the Pavilion
Get Involved
• Fundraiser for Initiative for Public Art Reston’s First Project
LIVE
RESCHEDULED: SAT. FEB. 13, 2010 9 a.m.
Reston Association – Board/Committee Leadership Work Session
Reston Master Plan Special Study
Due to the anticipation of a large snowfall, the meeting will be rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at 9 a.m.
This workshop involves a discussion between the board and advisory committee leadership and is open to the public.
Meantime, Paul Thomas, RA’s representative to the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force wants your ideas about what Reston will look like in the future. So, he has launched an interactive blog, Planning for the Future. It’s on the RA Web site, www.reston.org. You can voice your ideas, keep up with the work of the task force and learn more about the ongoing project. Just go to the RA Web site and click on the “Master Plan Study” button on the home page. Read Director Thomas’s updates from the public meetings of the task force and share your thoughts.

Special RA Board of Directors Meeting
The Reston Association Board of Directors will be holding a Special Meeting at 7 p.m., on Monday, February 8, at Brown’s Chapel, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave, Reston, VA.
The purposes of the Special Meeting are to receive and take action as appropriate on a preliminary concept plan for an indoor tennis facility at Lake Newport Tennis Court Complex and to approve a letter to the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force regarding new residential developments in the area currently know as the Reston Center for Industry and Government (RCIG).

RESCHEDULED: FEB. 20, 2010:
Freezin’ for a Reason: Virginia Polar Dip— Help Larry Butler Raise $$
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, 2 p.m. Lake Anne Village Center
Reston Association is proud to support “Freezin’ for a Reason”. This annual fundraiser benefits Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. Several families from Reston have benefitted from time at Camp Sunshine, which is located in Casco, Maine. There are several ways you can help. First, you can support Reston Association’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Larry Butler who will be taking the plunge into Lake Anne. Larry has set up a Web site to raise money.
http://www.freezinforareston.com/members/member.php?mem_id=746

Have you seen a sign that says “Natural Area Inspections Coming”?
View the sign here.
Every year, Reston Association’s environmental resource staff walks the common open space. The signs are now being used as temporary notification of the coming inspections. The sign asks that if your property adjoins RA natural areas please check for and remove any piles of debris, such as leaves, branches or grass clippings or structures that extend onto the Association property. This is in accordance with the Natural Area Guidelines.
Helpful Tips:
• RA property markers indicate the property line. Markers may be short concrete posts or grey recycled plastic lumber posts with a blue “RA, an “r.” or a small plaque with RA’s information.
• Debris or structures on RA property can result in a notice of violation for adjacent property owners. If you have any questions, please contact RA at 703-437-7658.

Reserve Study Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Reston Association 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Main Conference Room
Free
R.S.V.P. Arlene Whittick at 703-435-6503 or e-mail Arlene@reston.org.
Mandated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, a reserve study must be conducted at least once every five years to determine the amount of money needed to repair, restore, and refurbish the capital components of clusters and condos. Our presenters will share their expertise on the reserve study process and answer your questions.
Presenters: Thomas W. Larson, P.E., Principal, Facility Engineering Associates, P.C. David Slater, President, Forest Edge Cluster Representative from Criterium Engineering

CAI Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership Seminar
Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Reston Association, 1930 Isaac Newton Square, Main Conference Room
This event is open to all Cluster, Condo and Single –Family Detached Board Members
$50 per participant, if you register by February 18
$60 per participant if you register on February 19 or after
$70 per participant for non members
For a registration form or information contact Arlene Whittick at 703-435-6503 or Arlene@reston.org.

The Essentials of Community Association Volunteer Leadership covers …
Legal foundation and organization of community associations, problem solving, maintenance, rules creation and enforcement, risk control insurance, finances, board meetings, and hiring professional management. The course covers pertinent information to new board members as well as an excellent review for the seasoned board member.

Work
Three Summer Job Openings
Check the RA Web site and click on “Inside RA”. Then scroll down to “Jobs at RA.”

RA Events Assistant Job Opening this Summer Work with the Events Specialist planning and implementing events for all ages. Employment dates: Mid May – Mid Aug.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at HR@reston.org Ashleigh Soloff, Events Specialist at 703-435-6577 or via e-mail at Ashleigh@reston.org.

RA Camp Jobs—Work with kids in a fun environment. Great jobs for education, parks & recreation and science majors. Camp dates: June 24 – Aug.20, 2010 Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at HR@reston.org Barb Beaver, camp program supervisor at 703-435-6567 or via e-mail at campadmin@reston.org. Jobs include directors, assistant directors, specialists, senior counselors and counselors. The pay range is $15.00 for directors to $8.50 for counselors.
Types of Camps: Nature Camps (3-5 & 6-8 years old). Hug-A-Tree (5-7 years old). Sportsters (6-8 years old). Day Camp (7-11 years old). Science Camp (8-12 years old). Teen Camp (11-14 years old), and Counselor in Training (14-16 years old.)

RA Aquatics Jobs—Positions include lifeguards, assistant pool managers, office assistant, maintenance staff, and program instructors.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at HR@reston.org or Willa Whitacre, aquatics assistant at 703-435-6532 or via e-mail at aquaticsinfo@reston.org.

Play
Early February Bird Walk
Sunday, February 7, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive
No reservations required.
FREE
Adults
This walk will explore the upper Glade stream valley. We will meet at the Nature Center parking lot and walk down to the Glade Stream valley and continue upstream (west). Leader: Gavin Small.

Fireside Fables
Friday, February 12, 7 – 8 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by February 8.
$5/RA Members, $8/non-members
All ages
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail enviroed@reston.org. As the flames dance and the embers crackle, gather around the hearth for an evening with professional storyteller, Margaret Chatham. Listen as she weaves tales that will make your eyes widen, your belly laugh and your imagination soar. Enjoy a warm beverage and other tasty treats.

Organic Gardening Workshop
Thursday, February 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by February 22.
$5/person RA Members, $8/person non-members
Adults
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail naturalist@reston.org
It’s time to start thinking about your garden plots. Join a master gardener for some great tips on organic gardening. Get the latest information from soil amendments to pest control. Soil testing kits will be available.

Ice Skating at the Pavilion
Through mid March 2010, Reston Town Center Public skating and skate rentals daily. Also available: private lessons, birthday parties and reservations for private and corporate parties. For information, rates and schedules call 703.709.6300 or visit www.restontowncenter.com

Get Involved Open Your Heart to Public Art in Reston Join the Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) and Hunters Woods Elementary School PTA for some great, family-friendly fun, Monday, Feb. 15, 4 to 7 p.m., ice-skating at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. Admission is $10 per person and includes the skates rental fee. The skate is open to the public, and proceeds from admission, hot chocolate and cookie sales will benefit IPAR’s first public art project—the creation of a permanent Reston underpass art work involving an artist-in-residence who will engage with students from Hunters Woods Elementary School, a Fairfax County magnet school for the arts and sciences. This first Public Art Project is launched by IPAR in collaboration with project co-sponsors, Reston Community Center and Reston Association. For more information about the fund-raising skate and IPAR, call 703-467-9797, e-mail info@publicartreston.org or visit www.publicartreston.org.

I don’t know about your subdivision, but in the past ours has often gotten forgotten for a while. Now that the Blizzard of 2010 has hit, our neighborhood is hunkering down for some serious plowed in time. We live off of Bishopsgate Way, right off of RT 7 / Leesburg Pike. RT 7 is a major road, that gets plowed quickly, and for some reason our neighborhood, right off this major road, often get’s forgotten. One of our friends, who lives deeper in Reston and not off a main road, has been able to get his car out, and drove by our neighborhood on RT 7 and said that there is a 10 ft wall of snow that has plowed us in. Here is where we live:

Here is a video we took yesterday walking down Bishopsgate Way:

Yesterday we received the following press release from VDOT:

Release Contact:

Joan Morris
571-238-5030 (cell)
Joan.Morris@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Jennifer McCord
571-230-2926 (cell)
Jennifer.McCord@VDOT.Virginia.gov

It will be Monday before crews begin to focus on subdivisions. It could take most of the week—especially with more snow expected Tuesday—to finish plowing neighborhoods in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

VDOT reminds residents of the following:

• The main, more heavily traveled roads in a subdivision will be plowed first, to be followed by low-volume roads and cul-de-sacs.

• Plows will make one or two trips to provide a path through neighborhood streets, but they will not clear to bare pavement or from curb to curb.

• Because chemicals are not used in subdivisions, roads will remain snowpacked and rutted after the plow has passed. Crews will put sand on hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction.

• If planning to shovel their driveways, residents should try to refrain from clearing the last few feet at the curb until your street is plowed, as plows may push snow back into driveways. It also helps to shovel to the right as you face the road.

• VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails.

• VDOT plow drivers have assigned routes that include each and every state-maintained road in northern Virginia.

• Call 911 if you have a medical emergency and need to leave your home.

If by Wednesday, residents have not seen a plow in their subdivision, they can call 703-383-VDOT or e-mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov with the location. Photos are also welcomed. Crews will be dispatched to treat missed spots and problem areas.

This is a cross-post from the Reston 2020 blog. The following is the summary of the paper.  The complete 13-page paper is available through the Reston 2020 blog.  The Comstock proposal, especially its transportation features, will be discussed at the next RA P&Z meeting, Monday, February 8, 7PM, in the RA HQ conference room.

Summary

This paper examines a few of the core principle ideas proposed by several Reston citizens groups and applies those principles to the first major new development proposal for Reston, the Comstock Wiehle Station Area proposal.  The results are discouraging, especially since this first development—even under the more limiting current Comprehensive Plan—falls far short of what Restonians believe is needed to maintain Reston’s high quality of life.

• The design is conventional and bland, like many other such commercial development blocks in the Washington area.  It is not innovative or world-class.
• The TOD mixed-use development of the site is entirely appropriate, but it appears to exceed its authorized FAR 2.5 density, probably in the range of FAR 4 to FAR 5 , when the nearly million square feet of above ground parking is counted.
• In no serious sense does the proposal meet the county’s requirement of 20% open space—much less Restonians’ demands for 25% or higher—other than pavement and parking lots along with an undeveloped ravine.  It does not meet Restonians’ needs for open space and natural areas.
• The transportation impact analysis shows that, even with full implementation of the required improvements and Comstock’s additional offers and traffic demand management (TDM) program, traffic will worsen at the corner of Wiehle and Sunset Hills.  This is inconsistent with Restonians’ needs for the concurrent or prior development of infrastructure to maintain or improve public services.
• Comstock limits its commitment to environmental sensitivity to meeting only LEED Silver or LEED Certified environmental standards in its development, and offers a financial arrangement as an alternative to meeting those requirements.  Restonians demand a minimum LEED Silver standard, and prefer going for the Gold.
• The proposal covers only the two blocks owned by Comstock.  The dozen other property owners in this quadrant near the Metro station could each propose their own isolated, incompatible development plan in the absence of a comprehensive approach to Reston planning.  As a planned community, Reston’s development and re-development planning should reflect a holistic approach to its impact on Reston’s quality of life.

We can hope the Reston Association P&Z Committee—which has limited authority in the approval process—and the County considers these shortcomings as the application moves through the review process.  Moreover, we can hope that the lessons from this development proposal will temper the drive for increasing density (FAR, DUAs, etc.) in Reston development; strengthen standards for infrastructure, open space, and sustainable development; and lead to a more thoughtful community-wide approach to development planning and implementation.  That hope rests in the hands of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force.

Reston’s citizens must work to see that their clear and consistent  principles are established and implemented.  Otherwise, the quality of life reflected in Reston’s innovative architecture, integration of extensive open space and natural areas, provision of park and recreational amenities, sensitivity to environmental impact, and other unique and attractive characteristics will erode block by block, development by development, neighborhood by neighborhood over the next generation.

The Reston 2020 Committee will be meeting tomorrow evening, Thursday, 2/4, at 7PM in the RA HQ conference room to discuss Reston planning issues.

Everyone is welcome to come and participate.  It is truly a public meeting.

The agenda is here: http://reston2020.blogspot.com/2010/02/agenda-reston-2020-meeting-thursday.html

I was recently interviewed by Rebecca Blacksmith on her Leaders Portfolio radio talk show.   The show will air live at 11am Feb 3rd on Washington DC’s business talk Radio 1260AM WWRC and is currently available online!  Take a listen and let me know what you think!

I have posted an extended description and commentary on Tuesday night’s meeting on the Reston 2020 blog.  If you are interested in reading it, you can find it here.

I am writing this morning to request that you take time to attend and participate in this evening’s critical Community Workshop of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force. The meeting is at Langston Hughes Intermediate School at 7 PM.

The purpose of this evening’s meeting is to generate and prioritize ideas for planning principles that will guide the task force’s planning process. The agenda includes presentation of the county’s draft strawman planning principles, as well as the presentation of alternative planning principles by local groups. This will be followed by a period in which some sense of prioritization of the principles will be generated.

This meeting is the first substantive step in the task force effort and it must reflect the views of the diverse Reston community. If you have an interest, idea, or concern about Reston’s future, including density, transportation, parks & recreation, business development, environment, diversity, or any of a number of other matters, this is the best opportunity you will have to make a case. Moreover, if the process of identifying planning principles is not done well, it could start the task force Reston development and redevelopment off on the wrong path for decades to come.

More important than any particular direction the task force takes, it is imperative that the task force see and understand that Restonians care about the future of the community. Only a large number of people willing to take the time to participate in a community workshop like this will show that Restonians care. If few people participate, the task force may discern that Restonians do not care and they will set off on a course of their own choosing.

Here are some key links to documents for this evening’s session:

1. The agenda

2. The county draft strawman planning principles

3. The Reston 2020 Committee proposed planning principles

4. The ARCH draft proposed planning principles

5. The Rando-Kaplan proposed planning principles

6. Other background material handouts for the meeting, including the Tysons Corner planning principles, the Comprehensive Plan Suburban Areawide Recommendations, and the Lake Anne Areawide Plan.

Please come to this evening’s community workshop. Please participate in the task force’s planning process. And please share this information with your family and friends. This is your first best chance to help shape Reston’s future.

I look forward to seeing you there this evening.

Terry Maynard
Reston, VA

Live
Community News

• Call for Candidates: Reston Association Board of  Directors Election
• Stream Restoration Meeting –Colvin Run
• Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force –Community  Meeting
• Freezin’ for a Reason – Take the Polar Dip

Work

• Special events assistant opening
• Camps openings
• Aquatics job openings

Play

• Camp Registration
• Early February Bird Walk
• Organic Gardening Workshop
• Ice Skating at the Pavilion

Live
Call for Candidates
Reston Association is seeking candidates to fill three open positions on the Board of Directors this spring. These positions are one at-large director, the North Point District director and the Lake Anne/Tall Oaks director.  Directors determine the Association’s goals and policies, making a significant and lasting contribution to the community. For additional information log on to Reston Association’s Web site, www.reston.org or call 703-435-6512.

Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force Meetings
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2009
7 p.m.
Langston Hughes Middle School cafeteria
Community meeting on the guiding planning principles for Reston.
The special task force appointed by Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month to develop a set of recommendations on amendments to the Reston Master Plan.  These recommendations will be presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors later in the year.  Meetings are open to the public.

Stream Restoration Meeting – Colvin Run Community Outreach
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010
9 a.m. – Noon
Forest Edge Elementary School
1501 Becontree Lane, Reston, VA  20190
If you live East of Reston Parkway and north of the Dulles Toll Road, you are invited to hear about Reston’s Stream Restoration Project in the Colvin Run watershed.  Preliminary designs are underway for the Uplands – Tall Oaks area. Learn about the history and purpose of the restoration project and the plans for this segment.  For more information, contact Nicki Foremsky, RA’s watershed supervisor at 703-435-6560 or Nicki@reston.org.

Freezin’ for a Reason: Virginia Polar Dip
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010
2 p.m.
Lake Anne Village Center
Reston Association is proud to support “Freezin’ for a Reason”. This annual fundraiser benefits Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses. Several families from Reston have benefitted from time at Camp Sunshine, which is located in Casco, Maine.
There are several ways you can help.  First, you can support Reston Association’s Director of Parks and Recreation, Larry Butler who will be taking the plunge into Lake Anne. Larry has set up a Web site to raise money.  http://www.freezinforareason.com/members/member.php?mem_id=746

Second, you could take the plunge yourself or get your organization involved.  To learn more, log onto www. Freezinforareason.com.

Work
RA Events Assistant Job opening this summer
Check the RA Web site beginning Feb. 1, 2010 for details/application
Work with the Events Specialist planning and implementing events for all ages.
Employment dates: Mid May – Mid Aug.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at hr@reston.org or Ashleigh Soloff, events specialist at 703-435-6577 or via e-mail at Ashleigh@reston.org.

RA Camp Jobs—Coming in February
Check the RA Web site beginning Feb. 1, 2010
Work with kids in a fun environment.  Great jobs for education, parks & recreation and science majors.
Camp dates: June 24 – Aug.20, 2010
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources at hr@reston.org or Barb Beaver, camp program supervisor at 703-435-6567 or via e-mail at campadmin@reston.org.
Jobs include directors, assistant directors, specialists, senior counselors and counselors. The pay range is $15.00 for directors to $8.50 for counselors.
Types of Camps
Nature Camps (3-5 & 6-8 years old). Hug-a-Tree (5-7 years old). Sportsters (6-8 years old). Day Camp (7-11 years old). Science Camp (8-12 years old). Teen Camp (11-14 years old), and Counselor in Training (14-16 years old.)

RA Aquatics Jobs—Coming in February
Check the RA Web site beginning Feb. 1, 2010 for a listing of our seasonal aquatics positions.
Positions include lifeguards, assistant pool managers, office assistant, maintenance staff, and program instructors.
Contact: Reston Association Human Resources a hr@reston.org or Willa Whitacre, aquatics assistant at 703-435-6532 or via e-mail at aquaticsinfo@reston.org.

Play
Summer Camp Registration
Online or in person at 1930 Isaac Newton Square
Jan. 25, 2010  at 8:30 a.m. for members
Feb. 1, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. for non-members
Contact 703-435-6530.

Friendship and fun for over 35 years for kids ages 3-16.  Small groups and award-winning activities.
Camp descriptions can be found in Reston magazine, which was mailed to RA Member homes or is available online, Register online at www.reston.org.

Early February Bird Walk
Sunday, February 7
7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive
No reservations required.
FREE
Adults

This walk will explore the upper Glade stream valley. We will meet at the Nature Center parking lot and walk down to the Glade Stream valley and continue upstream (west).
Leader:  Gavin Small.

Organic Gardening Workshop
Thursday, February 25
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Walker Nature Education Center – 11450 Glade Drive
Reservations required by February 22.
$5/person RA members, $8/person non-members
Adults
To register, call (703) 476-9689 ext. 6540 or e-mail naturalist@reston.org.

It’s time to start thinking about your garden plots. Join a master gardener for some great tips on organic gardening.  Get the latest information from soil amendments to pest control. Soil testing kits will be available.

Ice Skating at the Pavilion
Through mid March 2010
Reston Town Center
Public skating and skate rentals daily. Also available: private lessons, birthday parties and reservations for private and corporate parties. For information, rates and schedules call 703.709.6300 or visit www.restontowncenter.com

Local friends have organized to send baby Infant and baby products, medicines and non-perishable food items to The God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage in Haiti.  They are asking that you drop off supplies to Sisson Landscapes in Greatfalls today (Sat Jan 23rd from 9am – 2pm.  Sisson is located at 10120 Colvin Run Road on the corner of Walker and Colvin Run Roads.  Help support the Children of Haiti today!

Please see the attached flyer.

We received the following via email from Dick Rogers, Former Associate Member of the Reston PZ Committee:

To the Editor:

Although Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) has established a task force to look at the “future of Reston,” in fact a likely future is apparent now. JBG, a well-heeled and well- connected developer, is far along in gaining approval of a plan to demolish the Fairways Apartments across from the Lake Anne School and replace it with a big, up-market, high rise development.

The revised JBG plan presented at the Jan. 4 Reston Planning and Zoning Committee (PZ COM) meeting made some limited revisions in response to Committee and RA Design Review Board concerns. But the basic plan for a more intensive development remains. It will have at least twice the people and about three time the cars of the current Fairways (Fairways now has 345 units and 520 parking spaces; the new proposal is for 940 units and 1,500 parking spaces). And to respond to the interest in more open space and trees, one of the towers will now be 21 stories high.

Many believe that intensive development in Reston should be transit-oriented, located adjacent to jobs and concentrated near the Metro stations, along the Dulles corridor, in the Town Center and at re-developed village centers. But this proposal is isolated from those locations and is car dependent.

Through the magic of Reston numerology, the proposed density is apparently “legal.” But the original Reston Master plan said high density development would be confined to 60 people per acre, about what Fairways has now. This means that the existing infrastructure — North Shore Drive, Temporary Road and neighboring schools, pathways and recreational facilities — were planned with smaller numbers in mind.

Although Fairways is currently reasonably priced, JBG says it has no legal responsibility to provide affordable housing. But it says it will voluntarily meet the county goal of 12 percent affordable housing.

The plan will obviously divert energy, dollars and potential future residents from Lake Anne. Yet some think its already approved redevelopment should be a Reston priority.

As to the future of Reston, one supporter at the Jan. 4 meeting said this plan will be a good model for the future of other Reston garden apartments. Ballston and Forest Hills, here we come!

Dick Rogers

Former Associate Member, Reston PZ Committee