WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Proponents of incorporating Reston as the fourth town in Fairfax County said Tuesday they had gathered 3,600 signatures on a petition calling for a vote on the issue, more than doubling the number of names collected in August.

The signatures, collected by the Reston Citizens Association, put new pressure on the community’s state lawmakers to support putting the question on the ballot next year.

If successful, the measure would form a local town council and government that would take over some duties and powers from Fairfax County, including control over land decisions. The General Assembly would need to approve such a referendum.

While far from accounting for the more than 60,000 residents in Reston, the petition’s recent success suggests the issue is picking up steam.

“Thousands of signatures was certainly what we wanted, and we certainly got that,” said Reston Citizens Association President Mike Corrigan.

The proposal faces serious legal roadblocks even if the issue makes it onto the ballot. State law prevents the creation of any new municipalities within counties that fall under the “urban county” form of government, which includes Fairfax.

Skeptics also have pointed to what they say would be a jump in the property tax rate caused by adding a new layer of services.

Fairfax County now has three towns: Clifton, Vienna and Herndon. The county also abuts two independent cities for which services often overlap: Fairfax City and Falls Church.

Herndon Town Councilman Dennis Husch said town status allows for greater transparency in the decision-making process, as well as comprehensive land-use planning and added services like snow plowing and garbage hauling.

Herndon residents pay an added 23 cents per $100 value in real estate tax on top of the county’s existing rate.

Husch said he supports putting the incorporation of Reston on the ballot.

“Self determination is certainly part of the fabric of this county, and if the community wants to become a town, I think the legislature should support that,” he said.

wflook@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:12 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "Executive blasts Reston town proposal"

JMAC said:
Griffin seems worried that true democracy and local rule might break out everywhere! Spreading like a virus! After Reston becomes a town then every distinct locality will want to become a town. And then, inevitably, folks will treat their own homes as if they were petty fiefdoms! As if they were their own castles! Then everyone would be their own lord leaving no petty tyranny for Mr. Griffin's power trips! And "Balkanized"? Good grief Griffin. How about more benevolent historical parallels of the independent commercial towns of Germany and Northern Italy? Or are you comparing Fairfax BOS government to the Austro-Hungarian Empire that ruled the Balkans? Who is Archduke Ferdinand?

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1:18 PM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "Executive blasts Reston town proposal"

Independent Progressive said:
The right of the people to choose their form of government is fundamental to democracy, but not in Fairfax County. Equal protection under the law is a part of the US Constitution--Virginia law barring citizens from forming new towns in so-called "urban counties" should be tested in court for it is most assuredly unconstitutional. Reston is indeed a special case, a unique planned community with founding principles unlike any other cited by the county exec. Furthermore, it was planned as a town from the beginning. In fact, founder Robert Simon acquired a Town Charter from the Commonwealth with the purchase of the land for Reston. Fairfax officials at the time then blackmailed him to NOT exercise the charter--e,g, threat to not grant sewer permits if he did. Still, the charter existed until Del. Ken Plum quietly, with no community consultation, submiited a bill to have the state legislature revoke the charter in 1989. All the 3700 Restonians ask is the right to vote on the question

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11:41 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "Executive blasts Reston town proposal"

Examiner Reader said:
A state of hypocrisy - Virginia prides itself on producing several statesmen during its colonial period, including the author of the Declaration of Independence. But events of late would point to a large degree of hypocrisy on this issue. 3700 Reston citizens have signed a petition asking that we be allowed to vote on being a town but do our legislators and county leaders embrace our cause? Not for a minute - we are told "There will be no talk of democracy for Reston, so just take your 3700 signatures and wallpaper your bathroom with the paper they're on, which is worth about as much as so many Confederate dollars." You see, what Reston residents need to realize is that we are supporting a good part of Fairfax Co. even though we account for less than 6% of its total population. And developers' campaign contributions just aren't enough for our county leaders' appetites. Restonians might well echo the cry heard in Troy - "We have met the enemy and it is among us."

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8:37 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 4, 2007 re: "Executive blasts Reston town proposal"

The Voice of Reason said:
Sounds to me like the incorporation movement is based on NIMBYism. Here's the thing, Reston folks: That growth has to go somewhere. If Reston closes its doors, more of it will just happen further out where the infrastructure is even less capable of supporting it, and where it will take further decades before things like Metro even enter the discussion. Regional traffic will be worse, not better. Additionally, pushing growth further out changes the supply/demand ratio of our regional housing stock, further exacerbating the affordable housing problem. Pushing your share of growth away will hurt the region. Fairfax City, Vienna and Herndon aren�t pulling their weight, and the rest of us are paying the price. Why should we allow another community to give the rest of us the shaft? Fairfax County is doing exactly the right thing drawing a line and putting the good of the region above the good of a handful of greedy NIMBYs. Bravo, Mr. Griffin.

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2:47 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Push for Reston town grows as election nears"

Examiner Reader said:
I am a senior living in Reston and question what would happen to the real estate tax relieve for lower income seniors which is granted by Fairfax County? Many seniors and others, living on a fixed income, can't afford extra taxes if Reston was to becomes a town. These issues are important and among all other issues, should be addressed and given great consideration and attention before it is to late.

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2:32 PM MST on Mon., Aug. 27, 2007 re: "Push for Reston town grows as election nears"

Examiner Reader said:
Supervisor Cathy Hudgins is quoted as making two claims which I, also quoted in the article, would like to rebut. 1. She states that Reston incorporation would mean less revenue for Fairfax County. Not so. The Reston Citizens Association proposal is budget neutral to the County. 2. She asks, why incorporate if there is no additional critical service to provide? A critical service to provide is a strong, authoritative voice---that of the Mayor---to speak for Reston alone. This is a criticism not of Supervisor Hudgins, who does a fine job, but of the system under which she labors. She must represent other communities as well as Reston, and she must work with Supervisors from far afield who do not necessarily care about Reston's continuation as a successful planned community. Reston deserves the Mayor that founder Bob Simon intended. As Hunter Mill Supervisor, Ms. Hudgins would be able to accomplish miracles, working in concert with the Mayor of Reston.

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