A lifelong Reston resident and former Thomas Jefferson High School teacher will take over the Hunter Mill District's seat on the Fairfax County Planning Commission just as three major development proposals head toward critical hearings.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn nominated Paul D. Thomas for the post on July 31, with the Board of Supervisors vote scheduled for Aug. 25, FFXnow reported. If approved, Thomas would begin serving Sept. 1, replacing John Carter, who announced his retirement July 22 after nearly nine years on the commission.
"He brings a community-first perspective to this important role that helps guide future development in the Hunter Mill District," Alcorn told Patch in a July 31 statement announcing the nomination.
Thomas taught math and computer science at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology before becoming an education consultant specializing in curriculum development. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in operations research and management science from George Mason University.
His civic résumé runs deep in Reston. Thomas has served on the Reston Community Center Board of Governors, the Fairfax County Human Services Council, the Reston Association Board, the Reston Historic Trust Board and South Lakes High School's PTSA and Band Boosters. He also served on the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force alongside Carter and the late Reston founder Bob Simon.
In a statement released July 31, Thomas said his task force experience and "deep knowledge of Fairfax County as a teacher, coach, parent, and volunteer will help me be an effective Planning Commissioner who can work with staff, developers and community members."
What's on the docket
Thomas would step into the role facing an unusually packed fall calendar. Three large Reston land-use cases are set for public hearings in September and late August:
- Reston National Golf Course: War Horse and NVR Inc. are seeking to build 306 stacked townhomes on roughly 14 acres of the 166-acre course. The Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23. In a June 2026 survey, 86% of Reston Association member respondents supported RA using resources to oppose the project, according to RA board materials.
- Reston Town Center North: The 48-acre mixed-use redevelopment, led by Fairfax County and Inova Health System, envisions approximately 1,170 new residential units, an elementary school site, a county recreation center and a 3.6-acre central green. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing Sept. 15, according to Reston Association.
- Lake Fairfax Business Park: A proposal to convert largely vacant office buildings into up to 1,010 housing units (502 townhomes, 123 condos, 385 multifamily) is set for a Board of Supervisors hearing Aug. 25, the same day as the Thomas appointment vote, according to Reston Association.
Carter's farewell
The Hunter Mill District Office will honor Carter's contributions with a public reception Sept. 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston. Carter served on the commission since approximately 2017 and played a role in shaping affordable housing benchmarks for projects like Reston Town Center North.
The Planning Commission's 12 members serve staggered four-year terms and advise the Board of Supervisors on comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning applications and zoning ordinance changes. The commission is on August recess and will next meet in September.
