No Deal To Redevelop Reston's Golf Courses In The Works: Alcorn

RESTON, VA — Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn told a representative of a local open space advocacy group that there is no deal in the works with Fairfax County in connection with one of Reston's two golf courses.

David Burns, a Rescue Reston board member who conducted a video interview with Alcorn, said his group had learned that one of the golf course owners had been approached by a potential buyer who asked if they would be willing to accept a purchase offer for the golf course.

"That inquiry was met with a statement that, 'A deal was already in the works with the county,'" Burns said. "Whatever that means."

Alcorn told Burns he had no knowledge about any deal with the county about either of the golf courses.

"There is no deal pending with the county," he said, in the video interivew. "It is private property, so certainly the private property owner is free to sell the property to whomever they want, to talk to whoever they want, and, within reason, say what they want. But there is no deal pending with the county."

Patch contacted Alcorn's office and he confirmed that he did not have knowledge of any deal between the county and owners of either of the golf courses for redevelopment or any other purpose. Since both properties are privately owned, he said the county would not be involved in the sale of the courses and hasn't been in previous sales.

Rescue Reston, a citizens' group dedicated to preserving open space in the Reston community, posted a series of videos on its website Tuesday from an interview Burns conducted recently with Alcorn.

The purpose of the videos was to draw attention to an ongoing issue the group says threatens open space in Reston, namely the future of the community's two golf courses — Hidden Creek Country Club and Reston National.

This is not a new issue.

In 2012, the county's Zoning Office and Board of Zoning Appeals rejected claims by then Reston National owner RN Golf Management LLC' that it could redevelop the property.

Three years later, RN Golf's majority owner tried and failed through legal means to overturn the county's decision. Ultimately, the property was then sold to Weller Development Co. and War Horse Cities in 2019.

Last October, Alcorn rather emphatically said he would not support plans by Wheelock Communities, the owner of Hidden Creek, to redevelop the site to include 1,000 housing units and a 100-acre park unless there was buy-in from surrounding communities.

"From my point of view, the matter is now closed and I will not be supporting a change to the Comprehensive Plan for that property," Alcorn said, in October.

Then in May, representatives from the Reston National Neighborhood Study Group started meeting with homeowner groups to discuss the problem of invasive species on shared property lines with Reston National.

Gregg Hamm, president of New City Enterprises, was the one conducting the meetings. New City represents Weller Development Co. and War Horse Cities. The study group was established so Reston National had a forum to discuss issues about the future of the golf course with local officials and neighboring residents.

Reed Skaggs, president of the Hunters Green Cluster Association, attended one of the study group's meetings in May.

"The Reston National Neighborhood study group appears to have broader agenda for future golf course use as it was stated that 'The property won't be a golf course in perpetuity' however no additional information was provided," Skaggs said. "HGCA expects to have continuous dialogue with the study group on what is best for the community as well as will support Reston National seeking the service of the Virginia extension service and others to deal with the invasive vegetation in the near term."

One of the things that sets Reston apart from other communities in the county is that it is a planned community, according to Alcorn.

"As part of Reston's development, the open space, the natural areas, the trail system has become central reason why a lot of folks came here, decided to move here, live here and stay here," he said. "I think we have seen during the pandemic, the benefit of those open spaces, the outdoor recreation that some many of us have taken advantage of when other alternatives weren't available."

Alcorn said balancing the need for new development, such as that being built around Reston's Metrorail stations, with maintaining open space is critical for the long-term sustainability of Reston as a community for residents and business.

"The original principles of Reston include the idea of a place where people could live, work and play," he said. "Maintaining that, continuing that, updating that is one of the key challenges the we face."

The very first board matter Alcorn introduced after becoming the Hunter Mill District's representative on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in January 2020 kicked off a public participation process that would amend the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan for Reston.

All through the pandemic, Alcorn has hosted a series of online meetings with the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force to review what was currently planned for the Reston community and what changes may need to be made. The task force is expected to wrap up its work by the end of this year.

Related:

Updated: Alcorn: Hidden Creek Redevelopment Not Happening

Invasive Species Growing Concern For Reston National Golf Course