HC Green Areas: Please Comment

Hi Folks-
Below is a HC beautification suggestion from one of our HC resident, Eric L. Many have had ideas along these lines in the past but Eric has formalized them here. Let us know what you think... could be fun and can only improve the fabulous HC! Perhaps we could address this at the September 16th HC board Mtg.
-Sara

==========================
Hickory Cluster Garden Adoption & Competition
Hickory Cluster is great, but it can be better. One area that seems neglected and far from fulfilling their potential are the cluster gardens. The size and number of these gardens (and associated common areas) are unique to Hickory - and a huge asset. Nevertheless, but with a few notable exceptions, the gardens today are over grown and look unkempt.

I’d like to propose a three-part idea to change this:

Garden Adoption
Each garden can be ‘adopted’ by one to four homes, creating a garden team. Small plaques would be made to show identify which homes (Teams) have adopted which gardens.

Seed Money
Each garden team would get a small amount (for example, $200) from the Hickory Board to get started. The teams could add to this amount - and possibly develop fun and creative fund raising (e.g., a garden BBQ or dinner party fund raiser?).

Spring and Fall Garden Competitions & Party
Twice a year a competition would be held for the best cluster garden. A panel of independent judges would be assembled (e.g., Robert Simon?) to tour cluster and rate each garden on a set of criteria. Afterwards, there would be a cluster BBQ/party where the results would be announced and award given out.

I see the Hickory Garden Competition both raising the beauty of the neighborhood, and further fostering a great sense of Cluster community.

- Eric L.
11520 Maple Ridge

Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station - Community Meeting

Please note the following community meeting being hosted by Supervisor Hudgins regarding the Wiehle Avenue Project:

Wiehle Avenue Metrorail Station - Community Meeting: Currently under consideration is a pending land use application to amend the zoningclassification in order to implement the mixed-use environment, including 2,300+ space multi-deck parking garage along with office, hotel, residential and retail space. There will be a community meeting on the Wiehle Station on Thursday, September 10, 7 p.m. at South Lakes High School.

Any questions please contact:
Goldie A. Harrison
Legislative Assistant
Hunter Mill District
12000 Bowman Towne Drive
Reston, VA. 20190
(703)478-0283
hntrmill@fairfaxcounty.gov

Dulles Metrorail is Coming

Construction Progress More Visible

Stay Informed and join now to receive construction related email or fax alerts. Please sign up for our Information Network by visiting www.dullesmetro.com.

Hotline For emergency construction related issues, please call our 24 hour/7days a week Hotline at (877) 585-6789.

Want to Know More? To set up a briefing for your homeowners association, civic group, or business please email outreach@dullesmetro.com or call (703) 448-5550.

Construction Progress More Visible
Construction activities are officially underway along the entire alignment of Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

Dulles Connector Road/I-66 Interchange
Caissons and piers, which will support foundations for at-grade andaerial track work, are being built. You will continue to see more of these develop along the Dulles Connector Road median in the coming months.

Dulles Connector Road
During the week of Aug. 10, overnight work will close the eastbound Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) ramp to northbound Route 123. Drivers will be directed to detour by using the ramp to southbound Route 123 and using the traffic signal to access the northbound lanes.

Route 123
Early preparation of the eastern portion of the 2,400-foot tunnel has begun at Route 123 and International Drive, including construction of a concrete plant. This month, other equipment and facilities essential to the tunnel construction will be put into place. Preliminary foundation work is taking place for the Tysons Central 123station at Route 123 and Tysons Boulevard.

Route 7
The ramp from southbound Route 123 to Route 7 will close temporarily overnight Aug. 7-8. Construction crews will permanently remove traffic signals and reconfigure the traffic plan. After Aug. 8, the ramp will only reopen for westbound Route 7 only. Eastbound Route 7 fromsouthbound 123 will remain closed. Please use southbound International Drive to access eastbound Route 7. The two-way Frontage Road along the north side of Route 123 between International Drive and Route 7 is subject to nighttime closures to support ongoing utility relocations. Business access remains open during this work. Work has begun on the western portion of the tunnel at the northwest cloverleaf at Route 7 and Route 123 along the Frontage Road. Dulles International Airport Access Highway (DIAAH) and Dulles Toll Road (DTR)Construction has started in the median of the DIAAH near the future Wiehle Avenue station. Ongoing Work Utility relocations and occasional lane closures will continue alongthe Route 7 service roads, portions of Route 123, the DIAAH and theDTR. Access to all businesses will be maintained throughout this work. Ramp closures are scheduled at night in order to avoid peak traffic hours. Motorists should stay alert and be prepared to alter their travel along these roads.

White Roofs Catch On as Energy Cost Cutters

Is it time to replace the membrane roof? Nice NYT article about the energy cost benefits of a white roof. Thanks to Eric for the link!

Indoor Recreation Resolution Means Brown's Chapel Park Won't Be Considered

Brown’s Chapel Park is now “off the table” in any plans for an indoorrecreational facility in Reston. In a seven to two vote, the Board of Directors voted to “discontinue further discussion of constructing anindoor recreation facility at Brown’s chapel Park.”At the July 23, 2009 meeting, the board also ruled out leasing, deeding or transferring any part of Brown’s Chapel Park to Fairfax County or any other entity. However, the measure also leaves open the door for future upgrades tothe park’s ball fields, pavilions, equipment and picnic facilities.The measure calls for concluding the relationship with consulting firm Brailsford & Dunlavey, which conducted a market feasibility study ofindoor recreation. Additionally, the resolution encourages acontinued working relationship with Reston Community Center to exploreoptions for providing year-round recreation.The move comes on the heels of four community-wide meetings in which many citizens said they would support indoor recreation but would notbe in favor of giving up “open space” to achieve that goal. Community responses to surveys conducted during those meetings arebeing compiled for presentation to the board and community in the fall.

Snakeden Stream Restoration Tour

There will be a guided walk along the restored length of stream at Snakeden Branch to explain what was done, Sat. June 27 from 9am to noon.

From RA
The general public stream walk that shows the stream restoration one year after construction starts at 9:00 a.m. We will meet at the Rite Aid parking lot at the Hunters Woods Village Center. Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes/boots that can get wet or muddy.

This will be useful for those wondering what might be in store for the planned restoration of Hickory Cluster's stream flowing into Lake Anne. The details of the restoration will likely be different due to the differences in stream size and flow, but this will be a chance to discuss the options and understand the process. RSVP is to Nicki@reston.org or call 703-435-6560.

RA Background Information on Stream Restoration including great video introduction with before and after shots.
RA Plan

United Christian Parish Expansion

Over the last few years, the United Christian Parish Church has been working on plans to expand their present building to approximately triple the size of what it is now. The plan includes the removal of the "rectory" house that currently exists on North Shore Drive next to Hickory Cluster (Block 3) and a portion of the existing woods and trees to be replaced by additional parking and a brand new parking lot access onto North Shore Drive. The above drawing (click to enlarge) reflects the church expansion plans as of October '08.

The church has approached HC to ask for a HC vote on a county easement (2/3 of resident "yes" vote needed) on cluster property bordering North Shore Dr. between HC and the proposed new parking lot outlet that would require HC to remove all obstructions to visibility (trees, vegetation, green power box, etc.) back 25ft to satisfy the county by increasing motorist visibility while exiting the church from the new access. To date, the church has offered to pay for the cost of the vote and the costs involved in complying with the easement. The date for the vote TBA.

-Sara

Reston License Plate

Virginia is accepting pre-orders for Reston license plates; the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) is handling the orders with a $10 deposit per order; when a total of 350 orders have been received the state will then begin production of the plates. The application form can be downloaded from www.restoncitizensassociation.org; the check should be mailed to:

Reston Citizens Association
P.O. Box 2851
Reston VA 20195.

More information is available from Dan McGuire: email to GUILDMORE@aol.com.

Cluster Work Day and Party

Neighbors and Friends--

By any measure the Cluster work day and party this past Saturday was a smashing success. Thanks to all who participated for the hard work in mulching, planting, power washing and painting to make the Cluster shine. Special thanks to Madeline Cohen (III) for organizing and Shirl Sellers (II) for the grill and set-up arrangements for the party. We all can take great satisfaction in what was accomplished on Saturday. I would encourage everyone to make the time to take a walk around the common areas of each of the three blocks in the next few days to appreciate what a beautiful place this Hickory Cluster is. We all share the responsibility of keeping it that way.

Cheers,
Bob Anderson

RELAC: Plant Improvement Needed

RELAC cluster presidents and residents met on 6/2. Our Aqua Virginia representative was not able to attend but sent this letter. The proposed and necessary new pump station for the intake would cost $175,000 and the average user (average being $770/yr) an additional $160.00 per season.