Reston Association Formalizes Strategic Plan Through 2016

Reston Association recently approved a new strategic plan, with goals and objectives in five areas that will help bring RA in step with Reston's future growth.

The strategic plan was first put in place in 2006, and the updated plan was approved alongside the 2012 budget two weeks ago. Reston Association president Kathleen Driscoll McKee says the strategic plan will better help members understand the budget allocations.

Here are some highlights of the strategic plan. For the complete list, click the PDF attached to this article.

Strategic Goal - To promote the essential elements of Reston as the standards for development, redevelopment and revitalization of our community.

Objectives  - RA wants to prepare Reston to incorporate additional residential and mixed-use properties into RA, as development occurs; advocate for and increase transportation in the community and establish procedures that ensure RAs interests are considered in redevelopment and revitalization.

You should know - $7,000 is earmarked for a communications marketed to prospective new properties; RA plans to investigate feasibility and need for bike and car-share programs and to work with the county to improve bus services; achieve formal recognition by Fairfax County for RA's role in the comprehensive plan and Planned Residential Community Zoning Ordinance by fourth quarter of 2012.

Strategic Goal - To be the leader representing Reston's interests, promoting partnerships and fostering community development.

Objectives  - Regularly engage the diverse elements of the community on issues and opportunities that impact Reston and continuously advocate Reston's interests to and with key stakeholders of the community.

You should know - $25,000 is earmarked for a community-wide survey in 2012 (and at three-year intervals afterward); planned community town hall meeting and campaigns to increase non-owner membership and corporate volunteers.

Strategic Goal - To provide high-quality programs and services to meet the needs of the Reston community.

Objectives - Establish a process for evaluating existing and potential community amenities; continuously evaluate programs; as appropriate, develop cost-effective new programs and services.

You should know - The community-wide survey will determine customer satisfaction and gauge interest in new amenities; RA will investigate programs and services in other communities to see how they would work here and look at emerging trends in leisure time activities.

Strategic Goal - To effectively manage all resources resulting in a sustainable and viable community.

Objectives - Annually develop and allocate appropriate financial resources to sustain and enhance RA's physical infrastructure; continuously protect, enhance and restore environmental resources; continuously preserve the integrity of the neighborhoods and their distinctive characteristics through covenants compliance.

You should know  - RA plans to identify grant opportunities for low-impact development projects in 2012. By the second quarter of 2013, RA will develop and annually update a long-range capital improvement plan. In 2012, there will be an increase in transfer fees annually based on the governing documents. RA will update the reserve study at least biennially to determine funding for repair, replacement and enhancement of RA's infrastructure.

RA also plans a Natural Resources Management Plan (4Q 2012); improvement in the enforcement of open space violations (4Q 2013); to develop and implement a Covenants and Parks & Recreation use maintenance process to address common area violations (2014); implement permaculture and sustainable landscaping practices to enable residents and clusters to maintain shaded areas; increase outreach and communication with clusters so they better understand Design Review Board procedures, covenants committee and opportunities to manage natural areas.