RCA Resolution on Air Rights Development
Adopted February 26, 2001

  • Whereas, the Dulles Toll Road and Airport Access Road currently form a major barrier separating the north and south halves of Reston, and
  • Whereas, the extremely wide Dulles highway creates a significant problem in terms of providing convenient and attractive pedestrian access to the proposed rail stations serving Reston; and
  • Whereas, land costs in the vicinity of the rail station may now have become significantly greater than the costs of air rights development over the Dulles highway, thus making air rights economically attractive; and
  • Whereas, air rights development around the rail stations, if coupled with the transfer of development rights from areas away from easy walking distance of the stations, can substantially increase transit and walking trips and reduce auto trips,

Now therefore, RCA recommends that Fairfax County, the Dulles Corridor Rapid Transit Project, the Airports Authority, and other interested parties take the following steps to facilitate and encourage air rights development in the station areas when the rail system is completed:

1. Investigate the economic, legal, and administrative feasibility of air rights development in the vicinity of the rail stations.

2. Modify Fairfax County's Comprehensive Plan to encourage high quality air rights development through the transfer of development rights to the station areas from remote areas (i.e., areas away from easy walking distance of the stations), contingent on the achievement of a specific set of conditions that will assure the achievement of a high quality, community-friendly environment.

3. Develop plans for the station areas that will facilitate future development of air rights in a manner that will:

(a) create attractive and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access to the rail stations and across the Dulles highway,

(b) reduce noise levels in the vicinity of the stations, and

(c) reduce the cost of future air rights development by building footings, supports, and access facilities for pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles, and other necessary infrastructure.

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