Regular Board Meeting – President Mulston called to order the regular Board of Directors (Board) meeting of the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) on April 26, 2022 at 7:30 pm via Zoom Call.
Attendees were: Lynne Mulston, President; Gary Maupin, Vice-President; Shawn Endsley, Secretary; Joe Leighton, Treasurer (departed the meeting at 9:07 pm); Jan DeLucien; Vincent Dory; Connie Hartke; Dennis Hays (joined at 7:34 pm); and Yavuz Inanli. Directors Scott Arwood and Brian Steiner were absent. President Mulston determined that a quorum of 8 of 11 members was present at 7:30 pm and the meeting could proceed. There were two guests – Sarah Selvaraj-D’Souza, President of Reston Association (RA) and Jess Glazer from Reston Strong.
Adoption of Agenda – President Mulston asked for adoption of the agenda. Upon motion made by Director DeLucien, and seconded by Secretary Endsley, the Board unanimously approved the proposed agenda.
Approval of Minutes – President Mulston asked for approval of the amended minutes of the March 29, 2022 Board meeting. Upon motion made by Vice-President Maupin, and seconded by Treasurer Leighton, the Board unanimously approved the amended March 29, 2022 minutes.
Approval of Treasurer’s Report – President Mulston then asked for approval of the Treasurer’s Report. Upon motion made by Secretary Endsley, and seconded by Vice-President Maupin, the Board unanimously approved the Treasurer’s Report.
Reston Comprehensive Plan (RCP) Task Force Updates – President Mulston, Vice-President Maupin and Director Hays are members of the RCP Task Force. President Mulston indicated that with completion of the 14 chapters of the RCP there have been a few challenges arising from the draft RCP. President Mulston then asked Vice-President Maupin and Director Hays to update the Board on the RCP. Vice-President Maupin noted that the draft RCP is being discussed with various groups within the community and that the draft has been sent to the Fairfax County (County) staff for their input and comments. Vice-President Maupin noted that the Community Health and Economic Development chapters have been the focus of comments. Vice-President Maupin noted that with the extensive community involvement the goal is to finalize an excellent RCP that can be used throughout the County. This RCP has included more citizen involvement as opposed to the prior RCP which was based more on developer and land use attorney input.
Director Hays noted his impression that County staff could be focused on writing their own version of the RCP. This could be an issue. President Mulston indicated that the RCP process was to entail County staff comments and revisions which would then be subject to Task Force review. That process is now underway.
Director Inanli provided his input. Director Inanli indicated that development of the Transit Station Areas (TSAs) has occurred under the auspices of the past RCP. He noted that the Community Health and Land Use chapters could be contentious. Director Inanli also noted that the proposed RCP should be open to more housing.
President Mulston, Vice-President Maupin and Director Hays will continue to participate on the Task Force as the RCP review process unfolds.
Reston Civic Center (aka Reston Town Center North) Unsolicited Proposal – President Mulston asked Director Hays to update the Board on the recent unsolicited proposal for the Reston Civic Center area formerly known as Reston Town Center North. The unsolicited proposal [from Foulgar-Pratt] aims to redevelop an existing 2.9-acre property owned by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) into an apartment building for working families, a new Reston Regional Library and parking. The proposal also calls for another building with affordable housing on the parking lot currently used by the Fairfax County Police Reston District Station officers and staff. A new garage is planned for police use. The building would have up to 400 units replacing 30 affordable rental town homes on the site. (The italicized information was taken from a FFXnow article dated April 1, 2022 and supplements information from Director Hays.) Director Hays noted that the density of this proposal is higher than any other location in Reston. Director Hays indicated that apparently County staff has known about this proposal for some time and that the proposal details are largely redacted. Director Hays plans to write the County protesting the redactions in the proposal. The proposal does not include replacement of the 30 Title 8 town homes that will be eliminated.
Receipt of the unsolicited proposal on April 1, 2022 starts a 45-day clock. FCRHA has issued a call for competing bids that are due by May 16, 2022.
The Board will need to monitor developments on this proposal.
Fannie Mae Rezoning – President Mulston reported that the Fannie Mae Rezoning proposal is to be presented to the Planning Commission on April 27, 2022. County staff has recommended rejection of the proposal. Wheelock and its attorneys, McGuire Woods, have only addressed 3 or 4 of the 17 deficiencies that were identified. It is expected that the three adjacent communities will be testifying at the hearing as well.
President Mulston indicated that she would be testifying on behalf of RCA and that her testimony would be reflecting information included in the County staff report. Director Inanli questioned whether President Mulston’s testimony should reflect the position of RCA. Director Inanli felt that President Mulston’s testimony was not reflective of the process required to develop a position of RCA. There was lengthy discussion among the Board with respect to Director Inanli’s concerns. President Mulston reminded the Board that RCA had previously submitted a position statement that had been reviewed and approved by the Board to Reston Planning and Zoning (RPZ). There was no change in the RCA position from the RPZ position statement to the proposed Planning Commission testimony. Director Hays then proposed the following motion to document that the testimony was reflective of the Board’s position.
Motion – The RCA Board authorizes President Mulston to speak on behalf of RCA at the Planning Commission Meeting on April 27, 2022.
This motion was seconded by Secretary Endsley.
Before voting on the motion Director Inanli proposed an amendment that President Mulston’s testimony reflect that there was not unanimous consent to the testimony. President Mulston then called for a vote on the proposed amendment by Director Inanli. The vote on the amendment was: 6 – Against; 1 – For and 1-Abstention. Inclusion of the amendment in President Mulston’s testimony failed.
President Mulston then asked for a vote on the motion from Director Hays as noted above. The vote on the motion was: 7 – For and 1 – Against. The motion carried and President Mulston was authorized to present her testimony as the position of RCA at the Planning Commission on April 27, 2022.
Golf Courses Update – Reston National Golf Course (RNGC) – President Mulston asked Director Hartke to provide an update on RNGC. Director Hartke noted that as President of Rescue Reston she had been interviewed by Reston Patch. This interview can be accessed through the link below:
Preserving Reston’s 2 Golf Courses Aim Of Local Group: Facebook Live – Patch Connie Hartke talks to Patch about Rescue Reston’s efforts to preserve the community’s two golf courses from development. |
Director Hartke noted that Greg Hamm will be leading the developer group. Director Hartke said that many plan to ignore any presentations led by Greg Hamm. Director Hartke also informed the Board that she had spoken on August 14, 2015 with Robert (Bob) E. Simon prior to his death regarding RNGC. She wrote down exactly what Bob Simon said which was: “The Reston National Golf Course area should remain as open space forever.” Director Hartke notes with regret that she had not thought to ask to record Bob Simon’s remarks. The only record of the conversation is Director Hartke’s first-hand recollection.
Director Hartke informed the Board that Rescue Reston would be sending an email to its subscribers keeping them informed of the various tactics undertaken by the developer and their consultants as well as information to address issues raised by the various consultants. (That email was sent on April 27, 2022 and is included as Attachment #1.)
Hidden Creek Golf Course (HCGC) – President Mulston reported no new developments with respect to HCGC.
Reston Association Updates – President Mulston introduced Sarah Selvaraj-D’Souza, President of RA. President Selvaraj-D’Souza indicated that the current RA Board has an experienced complement of 3 lawyers, a number of environmental advocates as well as an experienced financial professional. President Selvaraj-D’Souza noted there was currently an open at-large director position on the Board that needed to be filled. Applications for that position needed to be sent to the RA Board Liaison by 9:00 am on April 28th. She also noted that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) search was continuing and that she could not comment on personnel matters. President Mulston noted that in the past that RA had a liaison with the RCA Board and asked if that would continue. President Selvaraj-D’Souza indicated that she would look into that matter.
Reston Strong and Homelessness – President Mulston introduced Jess Glazer from Reston Strong. Ms. Glazer mentioned that there were currently two tents with homeless individuals outside Supervisor Alcorn’s office in Reston. At one time there were 17 tents outside Supervisor Alcorn’s office. Ms. Glazer noted that approximately 100 individuals were now on the streets. Reston Strong was working with several organizations (including Cornerstones) in the area to find shelter for these individuals. She noted that given the current real estate market it has been difficult to find landlords willing to accommodate these individuals.
Lake Anne Village Center – Director Dory noted that the Reston Farmers Market opens on April 30, 2022. Director Dory also requested contact information for the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association (LACRA) Board. President Selvaraj-D’Souza offered to provide that information. It was noted that the Reston Community Center (RCC) “Take a Break” summer concert series will be moving from Lake Anne as RCC and LARCA were unable to reach an agreement on the use of the Lake Anne plaza.
Other Business – President Mulston’s testimony at the Planning Commission meeting has been covered under the Fannie Mae Rezoning Update. President Mulston also noted that she would be aggregating questions for the Fairfax County Police Chief for his presentation on May 26, 2022 to the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations.
Closing – President Mulston indicated the next meeting of the Board would be on May 31, 2022 at 7:30 pm. President Mulston then asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:37 pm. Upon motion made by Director Dory and seconded by Vice-President Maupin, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn.
Actions Subsequent to Board Meeting
Invitation to Speak at Reston Strong Community Vigil – President Mulston on behalf of RCA was asked to speak at a community vigil scheduled for the evening of May 4, 2022 at the North County Government Center. On April 27, 2022 President Mulston solicited email feedback from the Board as to whether she should participate on behalf of RCA. Of the 11 directors 3 directors approved speaking on behalf of RCA and 6 directors recommended that President Mulston decline to speak on behalf of RCA. (Two (2) directors did not vote.) President Mulston indicated that she would respectfully decline to speak and encourage those who feel passionately about supporting our homeless in Reston to attend the vigil as individuals.
Action on Director Resignation – As a follow-up to his comments at the April 26, 2022 Board Meeting Director Inanli offered his resignation as a Director for Board action. Via an email request President Mulston asked the Board to vote either NAY (rejection of Director Inanli’s resignation) or YEA (acceptance of Director Inanli’s resignation). Ten of the eleven Directors were eligible to participate (Director Inanli was the eleventh director.) As of May 4, 2022 eight (8) directors had voted NAY and one (1) director had voted YEA. One director did not participate in the voting (Director Steiner). Director Inanli’s resignation was rejected.