RA President: Golf Course Meetings Are Rumors

Reston Association President Ken Knueven sent a letter to RA members on Thursday, assuring them that RA has not been informed of any current or ongoing meetings regarding the redevelopment of Reston National Golf Course.

Knueven the only meeting he is aware of is the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on May 22. He said he hopes any other reports of meetings or discussions are nothing more than “rumors.”

Kuneven is referring to a report by citizens group Reston2020, which reported on its blog earlier this week that a secret deal is in the works that will bring some housing to the site but also set aside a substantial portion of the golf course for a large Reston central park.

"Recently, there have been rumors that meetings or discussions have been held among the owners of the golf course, potential developers, County representatives, Park Authority representatives, and members of the Reston community," Knueven wrote.  "The Reston Association is not aware of any such negotiations or meetings.  It has not been invited to in any such discussions.  We have been told by County staff and Park Authority staff that they are unaware of any such discussions. ... this issue is far too important for secretive meetings among a select few.  Any re-planning and redevelopment of the Reston National Golf Course needs to be openly discussed and involve the entire Reston community."

"The Reston Association, on behalf of its members and itself, has a very real interest at stake in any re-planning and redevelopment of the golf course.  Any such discussions should include a Reston Association representative, as well as other members of the community.  It should be an open and transparent process."

Reston2020 said an option is being explored to have the developer proffer land for a park in return for being granted rental unit density, but admitted that it could not corroborate the information with Reston Association, Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, RN Golf Management, Rescue Reston or any other parties in the know about this issue.

RA has taken an official stance against developement of Reston National and has hired legal representation in case the association needs it if the matter continues in court.

The issue of redeveloping the 166-acre Reston National Golf Course has been discussed since it came to light last summer that the golf course owner, RN Golf Management, inquired with Fairfax County Zoning as to the space's residential status.

When the county said turing the open space into residential would involve a change to the county master plan, the owners filed an appeal.

To read Reston Patch's stories on the Reston National Golf Course issue, click here.

To see the full text of Knueven's letter, see the PDF attached to this article.

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