| Downtown
Decision Deferred to Dec. 13 |
By Erin E. Fogg 
Observer Staff Writer |
| The Town Council unanimously deferred a decision Nov. 8
on the advancement of downtown redevelopment proposals in
order to allow more time for the land acquisition process. |
| Mayor Michael O'Reilly said town staff had set an ambitious
timeline for moving forward with one or both of the proposals
submitted by Clark Ventures and Herndon Station LLC under
the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure
Act. |
| "Things haven't fallen into place exactly as we thought
with both the land assembly and the disclosure of information,"
O'Reilly said. |
| At the Nov. 1 council work session, O'Reilly said Herndon
Station LLC had not yet provided a complete preliminary financial
package. The development group released that information the
next day. |
| However, O'Reilly said it would not be fair to ask one or
both companies to undergo the expense of pursuing the detailed
design stage if the land under question is not yet secured
by the town. |
| The town owns a portion of the seven acres of land that
is covered under the developers' proposals. The council is
in the process of contracting to purchase land owned by Dominion
Virginia Power at Center and Vine Streets. The power company
is selling the land to Concordia LLC, who will in turn exchange
it for town-owned property at Herndon Parkway, Monroe Street
and Young Avenue. That settlement date is Dec. 29. |
| Another significant portion of land at Center and Elden
Streets is currently owned by Ashwell LLC. The town has no
contract with Ashwell, but has initiated discussions to purchase
that land. |
| O'Reilly said he felt confident that the land acquisition
process would be resolved in the next 30 days. The advancement
of the proposals is currently scheduled for the Dec. 13 Town
Council public hearing. |
| The council did take public comment from several members
of the community about the redevelopment project. |
| A group of five Herndon residents gave a collective commentary
with a united position that the Town Council should move forward
both proposals to the detailed stage. |
| They expressed a vision for the new downtown that would
incorporate a responsible parking concept and limited residential
component, in favor of a large and vibrant public space. |
| The comments were also submitted to the town clerk in writing
and signed by Judy Downer, Barbara Glakas, Betty Hatfield,
Thomas A. Hatfield, Lynn Schumaker, Charlie Waddell and Les
Zidel. |
| In other business, the Town Council approved an amendment
to the Runnymede Park Master Plan to make it consistent with
the planning policies approved in the 2001 Runnymede Park
Resource Management Plan. |
| Although some residents expressed concern about the limited
amount of parking for the park, the council voted in favor
of not adding additional parking along the service road or
at the nature center because it was inconsistent with the
plan. |
| The council also approved a conditional use permit to allow
for the construction of planned improvements to Runnymede
Park, including a new nature center. |
| The next meetings for the Town Council are a Nov. 15 work
session and a Nov. 22 public hearing. |
