Lake Anne Development Partners Team Planner Bruno Carvalho answers questions from the Planning and Zoning board and residents on Monday. Photo by Reena Singh.
Lake Anne Plaza will become the village center of founder Robert Simon’s dreams in a decade.
That’s what Reston officials and Lake Anne Development Partners LLC believe.
Reston Planning and Zoning Committee approved LADP’s Lake Anne Master Plan on Monday for a four phase green efficient plan for the town’s original plaza.
“I believe this project is what we have been seeking for a long time,” said Lake Anne resident John Lovaas.
The planners will have to get approval from the board before each individual phase.
From here, the plan goes to the county for approval.
Team planner and CGLA landscape architect Bruno Carvalho presented the planners’ master vision for Lake Anne.
“We focused on answering those specific questions you had before,” he said.
HIGHLIGHTS for the project’s first phase include putting in 181 replacement units for affordable housing in the area, 40 townhomes and an underground garage that will be partially hidden with trees and shrubbery. Slide after slide, he talked about the importance of keeping champion trees in the area and adding more greenery and shading trees to the landscape.
Other phases will incorporate wide bike and pedestrian lanes throughout the plaza and residential area but still making sure to incorporate several parking garages for those who choose to drive to the plaza.
With the addition of LED lighting, green roofs and tree preservation, the planners are hoping to have all of the buildings be Energy Star certified.
“This will be a very green friendly project,” said Carvalho.
To protect the tree roots from stress, they envisioned a raised walkway for certain paths along Crescent Path.
A NEW INTERSECTION with Baron Cameron Avenue was also proposed to allow for more movement around the area.
Many residents and board members were excited about the plans.
“I wanted to thank Lake Anne Development for providing more details,” said Reston Association board member Larry Butler.
However, some, like Elizabeth Arguelles, had concerns.
Arguelles owns Just Cats Clinic, a space that is going to be demolished according to the master plan. She asked if there was any way the space, previously used as a bank, could be preserved.
Resident Irwin Flashman felt the American Disabilities Act approved ramps by the graded stairway into the plaza would be a pain for the aging population in the plaza. Additionally, he said the new space, with a graded area in the center, would not provide enough space for the farmers market.
However, the co-founder of the farmers market, Lovaas, found the plan inspiring.
“I have followed this process for God knows how many years,” he said. “Frankly, until now, none of them have inspired me. This inspires me.”