Wheelock Communities bought the Reston, Va. property three years ago and sought to create a 100-acre public park and a range of housing options. The proposal drew strong, 5-to-1 objections from residents of surrounding communities and local Supervisor Walter Alcorn issued a surprise statement against changing the master plan to allow redevelopment, noting that he now considers “the matter closed.”
Possible plans to create a public park and a range of housing options at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston, Va. are leaving some citizens with “a good deal of uncertainty and even anxiety,” Virginia Connection Newspapers reported. Changes by real estate development company Wheelock Communities, which owns the 160-acre site, would require an amendment to the Reston Master Plan that is part of Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan and a rezoning.
Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn issued a surprise statement October 23, Virginia Connection Newspapers reported.
“I do not support changing the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan’s current designation of this property [Hidden Creek Country Club] as a golf course and consider the matter closed,” he said.
According to the plan, the property is termed private recreational use, specifically to remain a golf course, Virginia Connection Newspapers reported. Alcorn said he based his decision not to support changing the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan’s current designation of this property based on last week’s review of all direct communications with his office via e-mails, phone calls and letters about the property.
“There is no support from surrounding communities for changing the comprehensive plan,” Alcorn said. “In fact, it is not even close—there are more than five residents against every supporter.”
Although the development has been the source of controversy since it was proposed (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/activists-step-up-protests-against-hidden-creek-cc-development/), the news sent shock waves to current property owner, Wheelock Communities, Virginia Connection Newspapers reported. Three years earlier on October 23, 2017, the real-estate development company acquired the private country club that included a 36,000 sq.-ft. clubhouse, an 18-hole course, swimming pool, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/hidden-creek-cc-sold-new-owner-plans-investment/)
According to the company’s website, they conducted several focus group meetings with more than 20 area residents representing diverse interests and dozens of meetings with community representatives providing community input, Virginia Connection Newspapers reported. Wheelock had explored repurposing the private golf course and country club to provide the Reston community with the following:
– An approximately 100-acre public park complete with miles of connected trails and new recreational facilities;
– Significant environmental benefits (among them, more than a mile and a quarter of degraded stream restored to their pre-golf course condition, establishing healthy wetlands and wildlife habitats); and
– New home-ownership opportunities in Reston.
Upon learning of Alcorn’s statement, Dan Green, Principal of Wheelock said, “We were extremely disappointed in Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s statement this morning regarding Hidden Creek and respectfully disagree with his findings that led him to the conclusion to not support a more in-depth county-led analysis as of a potential change to the Comprehensive Plan and how that might address Reston and Fairfax County objectives.”
Green told Virginia Connection Newspapers Wheelock received support from some adjacent clusters from their community engagement, many of the club’s neighbors and others throughout Reston.
“We are encouraged by this show of support and will continue to engage the community about the future of Hidden Creek and what it can mean to Reston,” he said.
Lynn Mulston, North Course Chairperson at Rescue Reston, a grassroots organization of volunteers opposed to redevelopment attempts by owners of Reston’s two golf courses—Hidden Creek Country Club and The Reston National Golf Course—applauded Alcorn’s stance, Virginia Connection Newspapers reported.
“The Reston community’s voice has been clear and strong on the Hidden Creek issue … We thank Supervisor Alcorn for being responsive to over one thousand constituents who responded to Rescue Reston’s call-to-action and contacted his office,” Mulston said. “The importance of Reston’s diverse population seen taking part in recreational opportunities at Hidden Creek is at the forefront here. Hidden Creek now has reported slightly over 600 members and also serves as a home [course] for the golf team at McLean High School. South Lakes High School’s home [course] for their golf team is The Reston National Golf Course. Golf is vibrant in Reston and continues to thrive during the pandemic.”
Described as an inclusive, family-friendly, private country club on its website, the operation of Hidden Creek Country Club is dependent on income from its various membership categories—golf, swim and tennis, swim and social, clubhouse and others, Virginia Connection Newspapers reported. Also, members do not pay assessments.
Alcorn said he recognized that the property’s long-term use as a golf course depended on people willing “to pay to play golf,” Virginia Connection Newspapers reported. He encouraged community members who wished to see the property remain a golf course “to pick up the game and go play.”
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