By Bill Turque
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 27, 2007; B05

Over objections from Reston's three major community groups, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved zoning changes last night that would allow construction of more than 3,800 apartments.

County officials say the measure is part of a long-needed overhaul of the ordinance adopted more than 40 years ago to guide the development of Reston, a planned community founded in the early 1960s by Robert Simon. Some changes, such as requiring that construction plans be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors rather than handled administratively by planning staff, are supported by Reston leaders.

But they opposed a provision to alter population yardsticks used to regulate density in Reston. County officials say the old population factors don't reflect the decline in average household sizes shown by recent census data.

Based on 1975 census data, for example, the county set the average number of occupants of a single-family home at 3.5; in some apartments, it was 2.5. The numbers were used to limit Reston's overall population density to 13 people per acre.

County planners proposed keeping density constant but ratcheting the population factors down (three in a house, 2.1 in most apartments). The change will permit construction of more than 3,800 apartments. That is in addition to 4,100 apartments that are allowable under the old guidelines but yet to be built.

Representatives of the Reston Citizens Association, the Reston Association and the Alliance of Reston Clusters and Homeowners questioned the rush to change the population thresholds, especially because the 4,100 units under the old cap have yet to be built. They asked for a comprehensive review of plans for Reston before any density changes are made.

Reston Citizens Association Vice President Marion Stillson said increasing allowable construction before addressing chronic road congestion "would spiral our traffic problems out of control."

"What is the hurry?" Reston resident John Lovaas asked. "We accept the idea of high-quality growth. All we ask is that we do it right."

James P. Zook, the county's director of planning and zoning, said private-sector interest in redeveloping Reston made it important to put the changes in place as soon as possible.

"We think there is a sense of urgency," he said.