Reston Association's Design Review Board on Tuesday approved in concept a new design for the redevelopment of Fairway Apartments.

It is the latest in a nearly three-year effort to redevelop the complex of 348 aging apartments into a new neighborhood that will house nearly three times as many residents.

This latest look was acceptable to the DRB, which had met with JBG planners in several work sessions over the last few months in order to ensure success.

When JBG last presented to the DRB in June, it was criticized for townhouses that were too tall, a "Texas Donut" (big buildings centered around a parking lot) look for the multifamily buildings, and a look that did not fit in with the Lake Anne area of Reston.

The DRB was not going to approve it, but JBG asked for a last-minute deferral.

Now, the Texas Donut is gone and townhouses will be 3.5 stories. Parking for the multifamily buildings will be in a podium position that will blend in with the surroundings. 

JBG architects also used nearby buildings, such as the Charles Goodman-designed Hickory Cluster, as inspiration for the exteriors of the townhouses, which now have a Cubist look to them.

"The board should congratulate itself for sticking to its guns and getting to this point," said DRB member Ed Abbott. "And I congratulate JBG for sticking with us."

Other key points:

* Density is the same as the June proposal: 804 units in seveal multifamily buildings and 131 townhouses. When JBG first presented plans to the DRB in 2009, it was for more than 900 units.

* The multifamily buildings will be built around a central park.

* The part of the development called Fairway West will be three separate buildings rather than one large expanse of buildings.

Several residents and representatives of Sustainable Reston were at the meeting, where they expressed environmental and traffic concerns. JBG said that their traffic studies showed potential snarl spots at Temporary Road and North Shore Drive and along North Shore during drop off/pick up at Lake Anne Elementary.

The developers said they would do further traffic studies and look at solutions such as additional lights and traffic circles. Meanwhile, the DRB said as part of its approval that attention be given to keeping green space and trying for LEED Gold Certification.

The redevelopment has already been approved by the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee.  Over the last six months, JBG has been on the docket to present the plan to the full Fairfax County Board of Supervisors but has postponed several times in order to rework the plans. They are now scheduled to present to the BOS on March 20.