Save the Trees or Build More Parking? Community Weighs in on Potential Reston Association Land Swap

As the old song goes, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
 
OK, so Reston Association's one-acre plot of land isn't paradise exactly, but   it does contain mature trees that frame the outside of historic Lake Anne Plaza. However it also contains empty beer bottles and other garbage left from people who use the lot as a hideaway for unsavory activities.

Republic Land Development, recently given the rights to redevelop Crescent Apartments and much of the area surrounding Lake Anne Plaza, needs the Reston Association-owned land for part of a parking garage to be built in the redevelopment.

In return, Republic will give RA a portion of the Crescent Property, a 1.1 acre piece of land along Baron Cameron Avenue, as well as pay the cost of close to $500,000 worth of improvements to existing RA facilities and land.

"We believe we have all the tools to contribute to a revitalized Lake Anne," said Republic president David Peter. But to succeed Lake Anne "must be expanded beyond the community," which means more parking is necessary, even though more paths and bike access are also in the works.
Republic says it would relocate some of the holly trees and leave many of the mature trees in place as a buffer between parking and buildings.

John McBride, lawyer with Odin Feldman Pittleman and RA's Land Use Consultant, said the land swap is being looked at with three criteria - does it support the Lake Anne revitalization; does it ensure no net loss of community space; and does it leverage the value of RA assets to community members.

A recent appraisal showed that the RA parcel is worth $2.126 million  and the replacement land - even though it is less usable due to shape, erosion and invasive plants - is worth $2.372 million. The developers letter of intent states it will clean up the Baron Cameron land.

The board heard from dozens of RA members at the public hearing, with comments ranging from "don't let anything stand in the way of revitalization" to "don't touch the trees."

RA president Ken Knueven read a statement from Reston founder Robert E. Simon, who said if open space were left open, there would be no Reston as he built the community on former farmland a half century ago.

"I wholeheartedly support the land swap so as to realize the approved program for improvement," he said."Please, no more roadblocks."

Local ecologist Rachel Muir said the trees should not be sacrificed for parking: Said Muir: "165 parking spaces can be created, but mature trees take 60 to 80 years to grow and cannot be replaced in our lifetimes.

Diane Blust of Sustainable Reston says the land swap needs to be considered through the lens of sustainability.

"We don't believe the replacement of a natural area with a parking structure is sustainable," she said. "There is no question the historic core of Reston needs to be revitalized. [But] This sets a dangerous precedent for RA. Can RA staff really tell people in Reston to maintain their property when they can come in and rip out trees? How many more can we lose without affecting stormwater runoff and air quality. RA needs to lead by example and engage the community in natural preservation."

Rick Thompson, president of the Lake Anne of Reston Condo Association, which covers merchants as well as residents, says the swap is a fair deal.

"RA has a lot to gain," he said. "That is evident in the proffers and the increase in assessment income [from new residents]. I appreciate that this will affect the treed areas. Nonetheless, we feel the benefits of improved economic health and enjoyment of the place" are important.

Want to voice your opinion?  e-mail member_services@reston.org or call 703-435-6570.

MORE: 

RA Documents pertaining to land swap

Lake Anne developer offering nearly $500K in improvements as part of land swap.

On the Docket: RA's Land Swap 

Plans for Lake Anne laid out for public