Board of Supervisors Approves Reston Master Plan

Fairfax County:

“The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Comprehensive Reston Master Plan on Tuesday, Feb. 12, adopting the vision for Reston’s growth for the next 50 years. Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) motioned for the Board to approve the revised plan’s vision for Reston with founder Bob Simon’s original 1962 goals in mind. ‘Reston will be a complete community designed for the 21st century with choices in jobs, housing and lifestyle for an increasingly diverse population,’ said Hudgins in her motion.

The plan calls for 22,000 new residential units and the creation of three new village centers around the Metro stations at Wiehle-Reston East, Reston Town Center North, and Herndon. The board heard testimony from Reston residents on Jan. 28 with fears about congestion, provision of adequate parks and recreation facilities, construction of mixed-use transit station areas, and the role of the Reston Association.

BEFORE THEIR APPROVAL of the Master Plan on Tuesday, it was revised to include crossings from North to South Reston, open space and parks in developing areas, and continued involvement of the Reston Association and Reston Town Center Association during development. The Board also approved a plan amendment that called for mixed-use development close to the transit stations, recommendations for a multi-mode transit system, environmental stewardship, and urban parks and recreation facilities. Hudgins included recommendations in the amendment for special studies related to urban design, transportation funding, and an enhanced street network, which Hudgins said will help during implementation.”

~Writes Ethan McLeod of The Connection

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Transforming Tysons: Rendering of Station Street, as part of the Scotts Run Station South master plan.

Fairfax County:

“SmithGroupJJR was awarded a 2013 Award of Excellence by the Northern Virginia chapter of National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), a commercial real estate development association, for its planning and design of the Scotts Run Station South master plan. The NAIOP awards program, which celebrates significant contributions to Northern Virginia by the commercial, industrial and mixed-use real estate community, was held on Nov. 30, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Scotts Run Station South won the award for ‘Best Master Plan.’

With the planned arrival of four new Metrorail stations, the community of Tysons Corner has an exceptional redevelopment opportunity. SmithGroupJJR’s master plan for Cityline Partners’ properties at the new Tysons/McLean station will transform the area into a transit-oriented, mixed-use community with the Scotts Run Stream Valley Park at its heart. The development plan introduces a new pedestrian-scaled grid of streets with an engaging mix of uses along Station Street, the development’s main avenue. A total of 17 new buildings are planned, including residential, office and retail uses along with a full-service hotel.”

~Writes The Connection

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Council OKs adding SIA to Comprehensive Plan

City of Charlottesville

“The Charlottesville City Council approved a resolution Monday night to add the Strategic Investment Area to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, a move city officials hope will sharpen the idea’s focus. The council approved the resolution 4-1, with Councilor Bob Fenwick being the only no vote. Councilors added language to the resolution to ensure that the move would not keep the city from changing parts of the investment area in the future.

The 330-acre Strategic Investment Area is expected to add 1,300 homes, attract $300 million in investment and bring in $3 million in tax revenue to the city, officials said. The area’s borders are Avon Street, Elliott Avenue, Ridge Street and the railroad tracks north of Garrett Street, said Jim Tolbert, director of Neighborhood Development Services.

The Strategic Investment Area plan includes redeveloping public and low-income housing developments on Sixth Street at Friendship Court and Crescent Hall. City officials have pledged one-to-one replacement of public and low-income housing units in the area.”

~Writes Aaron Richardson of the Daily Progress

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Council to weigh putting Strategic Investment Area into Comprehensive Plan

City of Charlottesville

“Adding a 330-acre redevelopment initiative to Charlottesville’s Comprehensive Plan could sharpen the idea’s focus, but it also could carry a cost, officials said. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the move Monday night. Covering what’s known as the Strategic Investment Area, the redevelopment plan could add 1,300 homes, attract $300 million in downtown investment and generate $3 million in tax money, officials said.

The investment area stretches along Avon Street from the Ix property to the old Martha Jefferson Hospital between Avon and Ridge-McIntire. Including the initiative in the Comprehensive Plan would not cost the city money immediately, said Jim Tolbert, director of Neighborhood Development Services. Instead, it would allow the city to focus on the area’s design and purpose.”

~Writes Aaron Richardson of The Daily Progress

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Public hearing on proposed update to the County's Comprehensive Plan

Albemarle County

“The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Wednesday evening, February 12, at 6:00 pm on the proposed update to the County's Comprehensive Plan. The public hearing will be held in the auditorium of the County Office Building on McIntire Road. A copy of the draft document that incorporates all changes made by the Planning Commission last summer is available here.”

~Albemarle County