|
Design
Guidelines
An
Overview
Why
you are reading this page...
Are you
planning to make changes to the exterior of your Reston property?
This section of our Web site and the design review system
it describes will help you in that process.
Specifically,
before you make any change to the external appearance of your
property, you will probably need to obtain the approval of
the Design Review Board or Reston Association staff. This
user's guide outlines the why, who and what involved in getting
this approval.
Why are
Reston properties subject to Design Covenants?
The Deed
of Dedication to which Reston properties are subject requires
that initial construction and subsequent exterior change be
approved by the Design Review Board (DRB). The Design Guidelines
and the work of the DRB and the Reston Association (RA) foster
and preserve an aesthetic balance among the variety of residential,
public use commercial and properties in the community.
One of
the advantages to owning a Reston home is the protective covenants
included in the Reston Deed of Dedication. When you purchased
your property, you agreed to comply with the property covenants
and so help to maintain the design standard that was established
for Reston properties. For more than 30 years, Reston properties
have retained their beauty and usefulness because property
owners participate in the design review process.
Who does
what? A three-part partnership...
Sharing
equal responsibility while performing different roles brings
together the people who cooperate in the design review process.
- The
Design Review Board (DRB) has the sole power to make decisions
involving the design covenants, and develops the Design
Guidelines and review system. The DRB is made up of nine
design professionals (usually registered architects) and
three lay members, all of whom volunteer their time to serve
on the DRB. These people define the design standard for
the community and offer their professional expertise and
assistance to help property owners achieve the standard.
The Design Guidelines and the design review system are venues
for professional oversight, guidance and assistance in identifying
acceptable design solutions to property owners who desire
to make alterations to their property.
- The
Reston Association (RA) performs the day-to-day administrative
activities related to Design Covenants, including enforcement,
and helps coordinate the property owner's participation
in the design review system. The RA staff is available to
assist members with all aspects of the process.
- Reston
Property Owners complete the partnership by participating
in the system with the DRB and RA. By planning ahead for
exterior changes to their property, owners take part in
the review process, and uphold and contribute to Reston's
high aesthetic standards.
What
should you do first?
A good
way to start is to think through for yourself what you would
like to do and how extensive the changes to the property will
be. Does your project involve major structural changes, minor
alterations or some thing in between? Another key consideration
is whether your property is a single family detached house
or is in a housing cluster that has its own set of design
standards. When you have a clear description in mind, contact
Reston Association Covenants Administration at 703-435-6530.
The professional staff will assist you by:
- Sending
you the guidelines or cluster standards that relate to your
project
- Advising
you about the information you will need to provide with
your application
- Explaining
how the review process works and what level of review and
application will be necessary, giving you an estimate of
how long the review process might take for your project.
What
is involved and how long will it take?
It depends.
The review system considers a great range of proposed changes,
from the very simple to the very complex. Obviously, the more
complex a proposed change is, the more involved you, RA and
the DRB become. On the other hand, changes that conform with
established guidelines or cluster standards may be approved
with a minimum of interaction, or may not require any application
at all.
Reading
the sections of the Design Guidelines that relate to what
you want to do is a good way to anticipate the level of interaction
that might be necessary. RA staff and the DRB use the guidelines
to assist in reviewing applications, and your understanding
of the related sections will improve communications between
all those involved.
How are
decisions made about your application?
The design
criteria that are the foundation for all decisions are explained
in the next section, and include specific objectives and design
principles. The Design Guidelines related to your application
and your property provide additional guidance and are based
on those objectives and principles. Decisions about your application
are made in accordance with the design criteria and specific
Design Guidelines.
What
are the objectives of Reston's design criteria?
The DRB
develops design criteria with the following objectives in
mind:
- Preserving
the design integrity, architectural quality and aesthetic
character of Reston's properties that make Reston a desirable
place to live
- Encouraging
environmental responsibility
- Promoting
the continued physical vitality of neighborhoods in order
to enhance property values for all residents.
What
are the general design principles?
Preserving
excellence in design within a great diversity of property
types and uses draws on essential design principles. The Design
Guidelines are based on the following principles:
- Harmony
with overall community design
Within the context of the Reston Master Plan, neighborhoods
and clusters were designed so the individual homes would
be architecturally compatible with each other, displaying
some differences while maintaining a visual and physical
harmony of style, proportion, color and materials. Additionally,
the original designs of residential, commercial and public
use properties were reviewed and approved to fit within
an overall context, or balance, of architectural aesthetics
and intended use. The design guidelines and review process
assist in maintaining that harmony as exterior changes are
made to individual properties.
- Effect
on neighboring properties
The proposed change should be compatible with the neighborhood's
overall architecture, site design, landscaping, topography
and existing character. Accommodation of access, sunlight,
ventilation, view, noise, odors, trash, drainage, vehicular
and pedestrian traffic and the privacy and normal use of
neighboring properties are primary considerations.
- Workmanship
and materials
Long-term durability and appearance of proposed alterations
are important considerations, and the quality of the workmanship
and materials should be equal to or better than originally
used in the neighborhood. Construction methods and materials
are expected to comply with current industry standards and
building codes.
- Timing
of completion
Once begun, projects should be completed in a timely manner
so as to limit the impact of on-going construction upon
the community.
Other
considerations
Two other
considerations that may be important to property owners are
safety and security:
Safety
Safety can be maintained within the context of acceptable
design and construction. Fairfax County, through its building
code, administers safety standards. Neither RA nor the DRB
have authority or responsibility for enforcing safety standards.
Security
It is the property owner's responsibility to provide the needed
security without offending neighboring property owners or
the community. In almost all cases, you can provide security
items within the parameters of good and acceptable design.
Why are
there different guidelines for different types of properties?
Reston
has many types of homes and a variety of other properties.
There is great diversity in architectural design, location
and surroundings. Some homes are part of housing clusters,
while others are not. When Reston is completed, it will have
22,000 residential units, including single family detached
homes, townhouses, apartments, patio homes and condominiums.
There are also commercial properties, schools, churches, parks
and recreation facilities.
It follows
that the guidelines and the review considerations differ in
accordance with the type of property involved and its context.
For example, a design solution that may be appropriate for
a contemporary-style single family home on a wooded lot may
not be appropriate for a cluster of traditional-style townhouses.
Achieving
the objectives of the Design Guidelines while balancing the
rights and expectations of property owners with those of their
neighbors in a community as diverse as Reston requires guidelines
that are appropriate for the situation.
Do I
have to submit EVERYTHING to the Design Review Board?
No! Here
are some of the things you can do without any approval from
the DRB.
- You
can have play equipment that is comparable to lawn furniture
or toys and can easily be carried by one person.
- You
can install an electronic insect trap.
- You
can have small landscaping-related elements such as bird
feeders, stepping stones, wind chimes, small decorative
garden ornaments or removable plant support structures.
- You
can install underground drainpipe as long as it does not
have a substantial effect on the original drainage patterns.
- You
can install an "invisible fence" (i.e., an
underground electronic fence).
- You
can add a motion detector to your exterior light.
- You
can replace areas of grass with planted areas mulched with
shredded/chipped wood or natural colored gravel (not white).
- You
can install landscape edging if it is no higher than four
inches.
- You
can construct enclosed planters no higher than 18 inches,
made of stone or square landscaping timbers.
- You
can put in a vegetable garden in your rear or side yard.
- You
can plant flowers, shrubs and trees.
- You
can prune your trees.
- You
can remove a dead tree.
- You
can post a sign that is less than one square foot.
- You
can put up holiday displays of lights as long as they are
removed promptly at the close of the season.
- You
can install curtains, blinds, interior shutters or other
window treatments inside the glass.
- Consult
the section headed "NO APPLICATION" in each
individual guideline for lots of other things that don't
require an application to the DRB!
Return
to top
|
|
