Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Hunters Woods Park Monopole: Community Reaction and Next Steps

By RCA Hunters Woods Director Connie Hartke

Property values, loss of tree canopy, concerns for children’s safety: these were some of the issues brought up by a concerned group of homeowners at a public information meeting held on May 12th at the Reston Community Center.
The Reston Association is considering a proposal from Milestone Communications to allow construction of a 115-foot monopole in Hunters Woods Park. Milestone has created a website for this project at hunterswoodswirelesspole.com.
The proposal is to lease RA land at the north end of the soccer field for the pole and its accompanying ground equipment (consisting of up to 4 - 12x20 buildings). Payment would be a percentage of revenue that the monopole supplier receives from a wireless carrier. The Milestone representative said the average expected revenue is approximately $38,000 per year per carrier. The monopole can support up to 4 carriers (AT&T to be the first), so presumably revenue to RA could be over $150,000 per year. Should this proposal pass through the Reston Association Design Review Board, a zoning application will be filed with Fairfax County.
The following is a list of important meetings that should be attended if you wish to make your opinion heard. If you can’t attend, send an email, or both. It counts!

Monday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.
Reston Planning and Zoning Committee
North County Government Center (map), Community Room
12000 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston
The agenda can be viewed here. The P&Z committee reports to Supervisor Hudgins. Attending this meeting or emailing will let her know how you feel about the project. Parking note – carpool if you can. Due to construction, parking is very limited. Email is huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov and suggested subject line is Hunter Woods Park Monopole - Reston.

Thursday, May 29, 6 p.m.
Reston Association Board Meeting
Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston
Must sign in to be allowed 3 minutes (sometimes the limit is 2 minutes; prepare for the shorter time) during the public comment session. Five minutes if you represent a group such as a Cluster, PTA, etc. You should also email your concerns to BoardOfDirectors@reston.org with a cc to cate@reston.org (CEO Cate Fulkerson). Subject line should be "Hunters Woods Park Monopole."

Tuesday, June 17, 7-9 pm
Design Review Board Meeting
Conference Center, 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston
Milestone Communications will present their plan for DRB approval
At the May 12 information meeting, we were told that if the proposal does not pass DRB approval, it would not move forward. To be guaranteed a chance to speak you must register as an Affected Party.*  To do so, contact Margo Collins, Reston Association Covenants Advisor, at margo@reston.org or (703) 435-7994 to submit a statement of your concerns. The statement must include your name and Reston address and may be submitted directly to Ms. Collins via email. Individuals are given three minutes; group representatives are given five. Emails should also be sent to margo@reston.org with subject of "Hunters Woods Park Monopole."
*From the RA websiteAn Affected Party is any owner of property subject to the Reston Deed who believes that their property will be materially impacted by an applicant’s proposed change. Affected Parties are also notified about DRB decisions and other actions related to the application, and about applicant appeals of DRB decisions.
This information is provided as a community service. Please feel free to contact me.

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