RA Wants To Lead Phase II of Master Plan Special Study

The board will send a letter to Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, urgng her to let Reston Association be the lead community organization assisting the county as it undertakes Phase II of the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force.

Phase II will focus on Reston's residential areas and village centers, and what those areas need as Reston enters a new phase of development with the Metro Silver Line opening here in 2013.

The board discussed the draft of the letter at Thursday's board of directors meeting.

It asks Hudgins that Phase II should be comprised of such Reston organizations as residents; owners of the commercial centers; various RA committees; and community organizations such as Reston Citizens Association, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, Reston Community Center, Reston Planning and Zoning Committee and Alliance of Reston Clusters and Homeowners.

One citizen spoke at the meeting against RA having such control. Tammy Petrine, a member of Reston2020, a division of the Reston Citizens Association, said she finds RA's letter to Hudgins "offputting."

"We understand that RA has a crucial role in Phase II," Petrine said. "But it sends the view that RA knows everything, and no one else need apply.  We're all on the same side, folks."

Phase I of the study is still ongoing. The as part of the Phase I planning.

In other RA news:

* The board passed a motion to close Dogwood Pool for the 2011 season in order to begin renovations on the property this summer. RA will provide transportation for campers Southgate Community Center's summers camp to use another Reston Association pool.

* The board authorized working with a consultant to review The board approved RA to spend no more than $4,000 to have consultants review last year's projections for the $3.8 million facility that may be constructed at Lake Newport.

There will be a community meeting about the tennis facility proposal with architect Mike Miller