Board Meeting – On January 23, 2023, President Mulston called to order the meeting of the Board of Directors (Board) of the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) at 7:31 pm. This was a ZOOM meeting.
Individual Attendees via ZOOM were Lynne Mulston, President; Gary Maupin, Vice-President; Joe Leighton, Treasurer; Shawn Endsley, Secretary; Vincent Dory; Connie Hartke; Dennis Hays (joined at 7:40 pm and left the meeting at 8:38 pm); and Michele Silver. Scott Arwood, Director, was absent. President Mulston determined that a quorum of 7 of 9 members was present at 7:31 pm and the meeting could proceed.
There were no guests.
Adoption of Agenda – President Mulston asked for adoption of the agenda. Upon motion made by Secretary Endsley, and seconded by Vice-President Maupin, the Board unanimously approved the proposed agenda.
Approval of Minutes – President Mulston asked for approval of the minutes of the November 28, 2022, Board meeting. Upon motion made by Director Hartke, and seconded by Director Dory, the Board unanimously approved the minutes of the November 28, 2022, meeting.
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 were members of the RCP Task Force. President Mulston indicated that the various chapter leads were meeting with the respective Fairfax County (County) Staff. President Mulston noted that County Staff wanted to exclude the photographs and graphics included in the RCP due to possible copyright issues. President Mulston noted where she was the lead the photographs had been taken by President Mulston and Planning Commissioner John Carter and that both individuals were willing to waive any copyright claims. Vice-President Maupin noted that after discussion with the County Staff the photographs and graphics would most likely be included.
Vice-President Maupin noted that the most significant issue in the Transportation chapter was the proposed road connecting North Shore Drive to American Dream Way. County Staff is proposing to include this connection although the RCP excludes this connection. Vice-President Maupin believes that that the RCP will exclude this connection.
President Mulston noted that County Staff has not shared with the RCP Chapter leads the comments that have been received from the community. The details of these comments have been requested.
The current expectation is that the RCP will be presented to the Board of Supervisors (BoS) for approval in late April 2023. That timeline was altered as a result of the BoS meeting on January 24, 2023.
On January 24, 2023, Supervisor Alcorn presented to the BoS the following working timeline for the RCP.
January 26, 2023 – Planning Commission Workshop
Mid-February 2023 – County Staff Report
March 30, 2023 – Planning Commission Public Hearing
April 26, 2023 – Planning Commission Recommendation
May 9 or May 23, 2023, BoS Public Hearing and Vote
Reston Civic Center (aka Reston Town Center North (RTCN)/Bowman Towne Center (BTC)) Unsolicited Proposal – President Mulston noted that there have been developments with respect to RTCN and BTC. Given the different circumstances of RTCN and BTC President Mulston noted that in the future there would be two separate agenda items. One agenda item would be for RTCN and the related developments associated with the RTCN Task Force chaired by former BoS Chair Kate Hanley and a second agenda item would focus on the BTC affordable housing community.
With respect to the RTCN Task Force Director Hays noted that the issues involve more than just the adjacent properties that are represented on the RTCN Task Force. Since the land is Reston Association (RA) covenanted land, RA needs to be involved. Director Hays recommended that RCA prepare alternatives that can be presented to the RTCN Task Force. Vice-President Maupin noted that the initial meeting of the RTCN Task Force is scheduled for January 30, 2023. This initial meeting is expected to simply be a meet and greet for members of the RTCN Task Force. In addition, RCA will continue to try and arrange a meeting with Commissioner Richard Kennedy and staff members of the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) to present the community views on the Foulger-Pratt Interim Agreement (FPIA). It appears that FCRHA is not interested in soliciting community input on the FPIA given their slow response to RCA’s request for a meeting.
President Mulston reported that President Mulston and Tammi Petrine are trying to meet with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Field Office to discuss the issues associated with the elimination of the BTC 30 affordable housing units. That meeting has not yet been scheduled. President Mulston noted that our attorney, Kathleen McDermott, advised that the letter to Virginia Attorney General Miyares be delayed until after the HUD Field Office meeting.
Parking Reimagined Update – Vice President Maupin expressed his concerns on the treatment of future Reston development in the proposed ordinance related to County parking issues. Vice-President Maupin noted that the proposed ordinance is essentially a reduction in parking for future development and establishment of a one-size fits all approach to parking in the County.
An information document to assist residents in understanding and commenting on the Parking Reimagined Proposal is included as Attachment 1. There is a February 2, 2023, deadline for public comments on the draft ordinance. Those public comments incorporating the information from the information document can be submitted at https://fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zoning-ordinance/parking-reimagined
Other dates of importance are:
- January 31, 2023 – Public Open House. This is an online meeting with County Staff responsible for Parking Reimagined.
- February 2, 2023 – Deadline for Public Comment on the draft ordinance.
- February 14, 2023 – BoS Land Use Policy Committee Meeting – This meeting will release the updated ordinance draft and White Paper along with public comments.
- April 19, 2023 – Planning Commission Meeting on the revised draft ordinance.
- June 16, 2023 – BoS Public Meeting with a possible decision on the revised draft ordinance.
Site Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) Nominations – President Mulston asked Director Hartke to update the Board on the SSPA process and status. The SSPA process is the County’s process for reviewing proposed land use changes (called “nominations”) to the County’s Comprehensive Plan for individual sites. There were 15 nominations for the Hunter Mill District to amend the RCP. Of these 15 Nominations 2 were rejected from SSPA process by the BoS on December 6, 2022, and will not advance into the Screening Process. The 2 nominations that were rejected were for the Hidden Creek Golf Course and Reston National Golf Course. Attachment 2 details all of the nominations for the Hunter Mill District. The nominations for the two golf courses on Attachment 2 have been shown with strikethroughs as being rejected by the BoS.
The Screening Process meetings for the Hunter Mill SSPAs will be identified in Supervisor Alcorn’s Newsletter.
Director Hartke requested the Board’s help in identifying individuals who would be interested in the SSPA Screening process. These individuals could attend the various screening meetings that will be scheduled.
President Mulston attended 2 SSPA screening meetings and noted that the nominations had not been reviewed by County Staff. President Mulston noted the initial nominations had ignored existing guidelines. It was obvious that these nominations were in the initial process of review.
Golf Courses Update – President Mulston and Director Hartke noted that both golf courses had been nominated for SSPAs and had been rejected by the BoS on December 6, 2022.
Reston National Golf Course (RNGC) – Director Hartke noted no action has been taken with respect to RNGC now that the SSPA nomination has been rejected.
Hidden Creek Golf Course (HCGC) – President Mulston reported that it is rumored that the owners are planning to reinvest in HCGC now that the SSPA Nomination has been rejected.
Other Business – President Mulston noted the following items for the Board’s consideration.
By-Laws Update (Old Business) – The following By-Laws Update was pending from the November 28, 2022, Board Meeting
After a Board action approved at a meeting, only the President or someone designated by the President may speak on this action. Board members may not speak on this action either in a Board Capacity or individually outside their Board Capacity.
On non-approved Board matters submitted outside the individual’s Board capacity, individual Board members should state the following “the views and opinions expressed in this {letter/blog post/email/etc.} are solely those of the author. These opinions do not necessarily represent those of the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) or any affiliated organizations or their respective Board of Directors.
President Mulston asked for a motion to approve the By-Laws update. Upon a motion made by Secretary Endsley and seconded by Treasurer Leighton President Mulston asked if there was any discussion. Several questions were asked by the Board and answered to their satisfaction. After this discussion President Mulston called for a vote on the By-Laws Update. By a vote of 7 to 0 (with Directors Arwood and Hays absent) the By-Laws Update was approved.
Brian Winterhalter – President Mulston noted that Brian Winterhalter was initially scheduled to meet with the Board, but due to a meeting conflict he would have to reschedule to a later meeting.
2023 Board Elections – President Mulston indicated that RCA would issue a press release requesting candidates for the open Board positions. This will allow interested persons to participate. President Mulston volunteered to draft that press release.
RA Elections – Director Hartke noted that RA Elections are coming. Director Hartke mentioned that Michael Collins might be standing for the apartment representative director position. The annual RA elections have 5 open director positions for various terms.
Casino Bill – Director Hartke wanted the Board to be aware that the legislation allowing for a casino in Northern Virginia is being considered in Richmond. On January 25, 2023, the members of the General Laws and Technology Committee in the Virginia Senate voted unanimously (15-0) to have the bill stricken.
Closing – President Mulston noted the next meeting of the Board would be on February 27, 2023 at 7:30 pm. President Mulston then asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:06 pm. Upon motion made by Vice-President Maupin and seconded by Director Hartke, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn.