Reston Town Center North Redevelopment Clears Planning Commission

RESTON, VA — After more than a decade of planning, the Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval Wednesday night of the long-awaited Reston Town Center North redevelopment, clearing the way for the proposal to move to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for final consideration.

The proposal would transform nearly 48 acres north of Reston Town Center into a mixed-use civic district featuring a new Reston Regional Library, a relocated Embry Rucker Community Shelter, a future elementary school, recreation center, athletic field, housing, commercial development and a new Central Green.

Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning, development plans, proffers and associated waivers following a public hearing that included testimony from Reston residents, the Reston Association and the project team.

“With the Planning Commission’s recommendation to recommend approval for the Reston Town Center North redevelopment, the proposal next goes to the Board of Supervisors for consideration," Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) said in an email to Patch.

Long-Planned Civic Center Moves Forward

The proposal, jointly submitted by Inova Health Care Services and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, covers approximately 47.86 acres bounded by Baron Cameron Avenue, Town Center Parkway, New Dominion Parkway and Fountain Drive.

County planning staff told commissioners the redevelopment would establish a new street grid, public parks and development blocks while preserving flexibility for future building designs through separate applications.

The master plan calls for:

• A new elementary school (Block 1)
• A new Reston Regional Library (Block 3)
• A relocated Embry Rucker Community Shelter and Health and Human Services facilities (Block 5)
• A future athletic field (Block 7)
• A future recreation center (Block 8)
• Up to 1,000 residential units and commercial development on mixed-use blocks
• A 3.61-acre Central Green that will serve as the project's signature public space.

Planning staff recommended approval, concluding the proposal conforms with the county's Comprehensive Plan and zoning requirements.

"The rezoning coming to the board includes the future road network and a central green, and is a necessary precursor for consideration of future site-specific rezonings for a much-needed new Reston Regional library, a replacement of the Embry Rucker homeless shelter, and several other critical county facilities," Alcorn said. "This is the latest of a series of steps involving the public on redevelopment of Reston Town Center North.”

First Phase Focuses On Library, Shelter And Central Green

Attorney Tim Sampson, representing both applicants, described the redevelopment as the culmination of years of collaboration between Fairfax County and Inova.

He said the project establishes the framework for future development by creating the street network, parks and public spaces first, with individual buildings returning to the Planning Commission through separate PRC applications as funding becomes available.

The anticipated first phase includes construction of:

• The new Reston Regional Library
• The relocated Embry Rucker Community Shelter
• Portions of the new street network
• The initial phase of the Central Green

Sampson said those improvements can be built while existing county and Inova facilities continue operating, minimizing disruptions during construction.

County officials said the current goal is for the new library to open in early 2030, assuming the project receives approvals and subsequent public improvement and site plans move forward on schedule. The shelter is expected to follow several months later.

Commissioners Praise Years Of Community Input

Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner John Carter, who is retiring from the commission, called the proposal the result of decades of planning that evolved significantly from earlier concepts.

"I think this is unusual how it's presented," Carter said, describing the project as one that prioritizes placemaking by establishing the public realm, streets and open space before individual buildings are designed.

Commissioner Mary Cortina (Braddock) also praised Fairfax County, Inova and community members for working through years of public engagement.

"This plan has really been thoroughly vetted with the community," Cortina said, adding that residents had been "brought along" throughout the planning process.

Commissioners also discussed opportunities to refine future street designs, pedestrian safety improvements and traffic calming measures as individual development applications return for review.

Reston Association Seeks Additional Commitments

During the public hearing, Reston Association CEO Peter Luskvoiced the association's support while asking the applicants to make additional commitments as future phases move forward.

Among the requests were:

• More than the minimum required affordable and workforce housing.
• Healthcare space within the mixed-use development.
• An assisted living facility.
• LEED Gold or higher sustainability standards.
• Additional electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• Natural turf for the future athletic field.
• Completion of the final Central Green before the final residential occupancy in the development.

Sampson said several of those issues could be addressed as future block-specific applications come before the county, noting that many project details remain to be finalized over the coming years.

One nearby resident also spoke in support of the proposal while encouraging planners to continue prioritizing pedestrian safety throughout the redevelopment.

What's Next

The Planning Commission's recommendation now goes to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which is expected to hold its public hearing on the redevelopment proposal Sept. 15.

If approved, Fairfax County would move forward with public improvement plans and detailed site plans for the project's first phase before returning with additional applications for individual development blocks over the coming years.

Also See ...

Officials Outline Library, Shelter Timeline As Reston Town Center North Plan Advances