Comprehensive Plan Amendment adds up to 30,000 square feet of public facility space and enhances pedestrian connections to Washington Plaza.

In a unanimous vote yesterday, the Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended approval for a Comprehensive Plan amendment that gives the Reston Community Center the option to relocate to the Crescent Apartments site.

The amendment increases non-residential uses from 2,000 to 30,000 square feet on Land Unit D where the apartments stand.  However, the plan’s current guidance for housing at this 16.5-acre site remains unchanged, recommending high and medium density residential uses there. The amendment makes no changes to the existing gas station on North Shore Drive either.

Beyond expanding the non-residential square footage, the Planning Commission also adopted new plan language to enhance pedestrian access and safety. This update calls for comfortable, active transportation routes and at-grade crossings connecting a future community center to Washington Plaza at Lake Anne. These routes should feature high-visibility crosswalks, clear wayfinding, and adequate lighting to ensure safe pedestrian and bicycle connections.

Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner Paul Thomas recused himself from voting on the amendment because he serves on the Reston Community Center Board of Governors.

Under the existing Comprehensive Plan, the Crescent site (without consolidation) may be redeveloped with up to 750 multifamily units. Fairfax County is currently working to redevelop this ageing 181-unit affordable housing complex, and it aims to double the number of existing affordable apartments, along with building new market-rate units.

Meeting Growing Community Demand

 Supervisor Walter Alcorn initiated this plan amendment in May. While the Reston Community Center has expressed a preference to move to the Crescent site as it’s redeveloped, no plans have been finalized.

Center officials say they have outgrown its current space at Washington Plaza, according to a presentation they gave at a community meeting in June. At up to 30,000 square feet, a new, relocated center would provide more space to satisfy growing demand and alleviate long waitlists for popular classes like pottery.

A relocated center could serve more residents while staying rooted in the Lake Anne neighborhood. Furthermore, a new center at the redeveloped Crescent property aligns with broader county efforts to support affordable housing goals and boost economic revitalization for Lake Anne, RCC officials said.

Addressing Future Housing & Parking Questions

During the public hearing, two speakers testified about their concerns on the existing Comprehensive Plan that allows up to 750 apartments at the Crescent site.

Planning Commissioners directly addressed these concerns, clarifying that the amendment only focuses on non-residential uses.

“I truly understand the questions with regard to density on an already approved Comprehensive Plan,” said the Planning Commission Chair Phil Niedzielski-Eichner. “In other words, that 750 units is already in the Comprehensive Plan. This proposal is very specific to this site and it’s a non-residential matter.”

County planning staff also responded that any possible impacts from future residential units and parking are not part of this plan amendment. However, these issues will be fully addressed when a rezoning application is filed for the Crescent redevelopment project.

“So, what we’re really being asked to review and recommend specifically is the issue with the non-residential uses,” said Planning Commissioner Tim Sargeant. “I think we would anticipate if there were residential components in the future that reference the numbers we’re talking about that would require a thorough study.”

Board of Supervisors Review Comes Next

The Planning Commission’s recommendation now moves forward to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a final decision. The board is currently scheduled to hold its public hearing on September 29, 2026.