Controversial Reston Density Limit Hearings Delayed Indefinitely

RESTON, VA -- The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has indefinitely delayed a series of hearings on a controversial plan to raise the density limit in Reston, a proposal that would open the door for even more development.

In January, Patch reported that a proposed Planned Residential Community (PRC) zoning ordinance amendment would go before a Planning Commission Public Hearing on April 5, and then there would be a Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on May 15. The Board of Supervisors was also supposed to approve those dates on March 6.

However, Fairfax County's website now lists all three of these dates as "TBD," with no indication on when they might be rescheduled.

The proposal has earned backlash from a considerable number of Reston residents, who argue that the move would lead to an explosion in development in Reston despite what they say is a lack of infrastructure to support it.

The Reston Association has come out against the proposal, saying in a statement that it would have a "potentially negative impact" on the community.

"The county is seeking to amend the zoning ordinance to allow for an increase in the number of residential units permitted within the PRC district," the statement adds. "The current Reston PRC ordinance limits the population to 13 people per acre for properties within this zoning district. The county wants to allow for up to 16 persons per acre to add an additional 12,257 multifamily residential units. This growth is focused in the Town Center, Village Centers and the Transit Station Areas (TSA) around the three Metro Stations."

Image via Fairfax County