RELAC--Reston Association Forces it on the Few

Why are some Reston Association Board members pushing to amend the Reston covenants to force captive users bail out the antiquated Reston Lake Anne Air/Conditioning monopoly (RELAC)?                                                         The covenant amendments the Board members from Lake Anne seek would make it virtually impossible for system users with valid medical reasons and doctor certifications to switch to effective conventional air conditioning as has been permitted for decades.  Further, it would require those previously exempted from the inefficient, humid air service to continue to pay RELAC even though they have replaced it with modern, more efficient and healthy A/C and no longer use RELAC’s chilled water.                                                                    Meanwhile, existing Lake Anne businesses and most recently the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne have switched from RELAC to conventional A/C because they believe RELAC to be inadequate to reliably cool their premises to satisfy their customers or protect goods they sell such as pharmaceuticals in the pharmacy.  Yet, the RA Board will not permit any such opting out by homeowners.                                                                                        Plans for new development at Lake Anne include construction of over 1,000 new townhomes and condos as well as offices and retail establishments.  None of them will be hooked up to the RELAC system—the developer feels it simply is not a good system.                                                                                     Does anyone see a problem here?  The vast majority are marching toward a future of competitive, modern A/C and a small band of captives left behind at the mercy of a for-profit monopoly thanks to the RA Board.  The RA Board has a laser-like focus on locking in the remaining 343 townhouses to the monopoly.  Yet the condo association, also on the RELAC system, seems to have both choices and perhaps better service?

          Instead of imposing more heavy-handed measures to be imposed on the captive few for short-term benefit of the monopoly, a more enlightened community association (RA) should instead seriously examine RELAC and alternatives for a future with modern, competitive A/C for all the captives.