After one of its interim subcommittees studied the problem of community government in urbanizing counties, the General Assembly in its 1979 Session requested that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Reston Community Association consult together regarding the possible incorporation of Reston. (House Joint Resolution No. 290) Those two bodies were asked to report to the Commission on Local Governm??nt which, in turn, was asked to present recommendations to the 1980 General Assembly.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Reston Community Association have made their report, a copy of which is included in the Appendix of this report. The two bodies recommend that counties using the urban county form of government, such as Fairfax, be allowed to create chartered communities within their boundaries. These communities would have elected governing bodies; and could be given whatever powers the Board of Supervisors deemed appropriate, including the right to levy a tax. The exercise of any power would be subject to county approval.

The Commission has reviewed this report and the accompanying recommendations and hereby makes its requested report to the General Assembly.

First of all, we commend the County of Fairfax and the residents of Reston for being willing to negotiate this question and for coming to an agreement. We encourage all local governments to attempt to work out their problems on a negotiated basis.

In a large urban setting such as Fairfax County, we feel that there may well be areas in need of community identity in the form of a governmental entity. Consequently, we endorse the recommendation of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Reston Community Association that urban county forms of government be allowed to create chartered communities, insofar as this concept is not in conflict with the Virginia Constitution, Virginia law or the policies of the General Assembly.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., Chairman
Edward Beck
Billy Frazier
Wendell P. Hensley
William S. Hubard