Development Could Make School Crowding Worse

For many months, Rescue Reston has been trying to broaden the discussion of why the redevelopment of Reston National Golf Course into housing is a very dangerous idea to the entire community of Reston.

Thank you, Patch, for today’s article addressing the existing overenrollment in South Lakes High School. Thank you for introducing Rescue Reston’s January message - overcrowded schools. Development of open space will negatively impact education.

Reston, this crisis involves more than a real estate issue for those surrounding the Reston National Golf Course.

While the potential elimination of the golf course and redevelopment will directly affect more than 1,000 homeowners, a much bigger issue faces Reston. If and when there is development of the open space, you can bet you last dollar that Hidden Creek Golf Course in north Reston will fall in the same manner.

Reston National is not merely a crack in the dam; it is a gaping hole - a massive breach.

Hidden Creek Golf Course is a much different - and many say easier - open space to redevelop than Reston National. Hidden Creek has fewer residential homes contiguous to the course. Much of the current housing units are rental apartments that may produce less resistance and objection.

Reston National has but a few hundred yards of commercial border. Hidden Creek currently shares an expansive border with existing commercial real estate development and will be a very short walk to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, which opens in 2013.

Everyone’s Issue

It is reasonable for young families to focus on the immediate pressures of today. We have all been there; the early stages of establishing careers, the rush to get the kids to sports, piano or dance lessons. But please consider that young families moved to Reston for a specific lifestyle that includes education as well as a balance in open space and density.

Reston was named by Money magazine as one of of the top 10 places to live in the nation for that very reason and not because we stuff anything that will make anyone a buck anywhere we can!

That educational asset and balance are under attack. That battle is simply between lifestyle and profit. Community planning by definition involves the community.

We say NO!

These redevelopment plans could bring 2,500 to 3,000 people to fill the homes that are then constructed in the South Lakes pyramid and conceivably a larger amount (3,000+) in the Lake Anne area.

Lake Anne development will be in addition to a recent sale of apartment units on North Shore Drive (with a higher density projection) and the current redevelopment of more apartments on Temporary Road.

On Jan. 30, the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals will hear the appeal from Reston National Golf Management (a subsidiary of Northwestern Mutual Life) to begin the destruction of what took Reston 60 years to create.

Please join Rescue Reston and help to prevent that from happening. Go to RescueReston.org to discover the many ways you can help.