Reston (Map, News) - Supporters of forging Reston into Fairfax County’s newest town are stepping up their efforts ahead of the November election, hoping to muster a groundswell of support for a plan with a tough road ahead.

Reston, a planned community of more than 60,000 residents, sits wholly under the jurisdiction of the county and without any of its own government. To become a town, it would not only need a successful referendum, but also an exemption from a Virginia law forbidding new incorporation in counties like Fairfax.

And to get on the ballot next year, the measure must pass the General Assembly. Supporters, who say they have 1,500 names on a petition seeking a referendum, hope to prove it’s something Reston wants.

“The big push is on now, August and September,” said Marion Stillson, vice president of the Reston Citizens Association. “We want to have a groundswell of public opinion showing by election time.”

Political pressure is a clear part of their strategy. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, whose district includes Reston, is seen as an obstacle by town supporters. And at least one of her opponents, Marie Huhtala, has come out in favor of a referendum.

The movement was spurred recently by a controversial Board of Supervisors policy change that allows 3,000 new dwellings to be built in Reston. Under a town system, land use would likely fall in the hands of a local council.

Hudgins said she hasn’t seen a compelling reason why Reston should be turned into a town, a move that could increase real estate taxes in the community by at least 11 cents per $100 value to pay for the new government.

“It means there’s a loss of revenue to the county. It means that the Restonians would need to pick up the additional revenue,” she said. “If I have no additional critical service that needs to be provided, what’s our reason for doing this?”

wflook@dcexaminer.com