St. Johns Wood 'Indefinitely Deferred' in Reston: Announcement

RESTON, VA — Fierce opposition from Reston residents appears to have prompted developer Bozzuto to indefinitely table a plan to redevelop the St. Johns Wood apartment complex.

Fairfax County Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, who represents Reston, announced in a statement Thursday afternoon that a community meeting for a revised proposal for St. Johns Wood scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 had been cancelled.

"At this time, Bozzuto Development Company, Inc. has decided to indefinitely defer the application for the redevelopment of the St. Johns Wood apartment complex," the statement reads.

The announcement comes on the heels of a recent community meeting in which Reston residents once again voiced their opposition to the proposal. Bozzuto Management brought forward a seventh version of its plan to redevelop St. Johns Wood late last month. Dozens of locals wearing yellow "Reclaim Reason" T-shirts were at the meeting, according to a Reston Now report.

The new plan proposed 481 mid-rise multifamily units in two buildings, and removed all townhouses called for in prior proposals. In addition, the heights of the buildings were reduced.

Developer Bozzuto describes St. Johns Wood, which is located near the intersection of Reston Parkway and Center Harbor Road, as a "luxury apartment community located in the prestigious North Point area of Reston."

Many Reston residents aren't happy with a proposal to expand on this property. A petition to oppose the redevelopment project currently has 812 signatures as of Thursday.

Specifically, the petition lists the following concerns with the proposed project:

• Non-compliance with mass and architecture standards for St Johns Wood in the revised Reston Master Plan
• Traffic exits
• Management of parking on streets outside the ‘cluster’ boundaries
• Tree preservation
• Visibility from adjacent properties and roads
• Length of redevelopment project
• Community feedback and comments

Image via Fairfax County Board of Supervisors