A yearlong stalemate between Reston residents and development giant JBG Companies over the future of a large apartment complex could move ahead Tuesday when JBG seeks approval from the community’s influential Design Review Board.
JBG’s original proposal to redevelop the Fairway Apartments was roundly rejected by community and county officials in June 2010, in part because it would’ve meant far greater density without nearby access to public transportation.
In addition, residents concerned with maintaining the integrity of Reston’s original vision – the town was conceived in the 1960s as a planned and economically diverse community – said that the redevelopment would wipe out hundreds of units of relatively low-rent housing in favor of upscale units.
JBG went back to the drawing board. And in April, their re-do made it past one of the community’s gatekeepers: the Reston Planning and Zoning Committee. While that committee holds no legal power, it does have clout with the Fairfax Planning Commission, which eventually would need to grant its approval.
The DRB, which will hear from the developer on Tuesday, is another gatekeeper. It, however, does have legal authority, and if it doesn’t like JBG’s plan, it can refuse required permits.
Marion Stillson, president of the Reston Citizen Association, has long opposed the development, saying that her organization feels that JBG’s plan “is not in compliance with the spirit of Reston design and planning.”
Stillson worries, however, that should the DRB continue to oppose the development, JBG could legally challenge the authority of the DRB.
“There are bigger bucks at stake now with Metro set to come through,” she said.
Tuesday’s meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Reston Association headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive.
