The Reston Association board has sent a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission seeking changes to the Commerce Metro Center project near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station.

The letter makes three requests ahead of the project's rezoning public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 18, according to the Reston Association's project page.

The board asks that the proposed 21-story office building's height be reduced to mirror the Google building opposite the site. It asks the developer to make a proffered commitment to protect Lake Thoreau from potential water quality impacts related to construction and future site operations. And it asks that the project's 540 new residential units become part of the Reston Association.

The board also expressed concern over light and noise pollution that would affect member communities next to the development.

What's being proposed

The Commerce Metro Center project covers 15.95 acres along Centennial Park Drive and Commerce Park Drive, just west of Wiehle Avenue and Sunrise Valley Drive. The proposal calls for more than 2 million square feet of new development, including retail, hotel and office space, plus 540 residential units, parking and pedestrian improvements.

The plan allows for an office building of up to 21 stories on Sunrise Valley Drive.

Five RA communities sit directly next to the site: Whethersfield Cluster, Harborside Cluster, Hunters Green Cluster, Hampton Meadows and Upper Lakes Drive.

How residents can weigh in

The rezoning application goes before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Nov. 18. The hearing is open to the public.

Residents can testify or submit written comments to the Planning Commission. The RA is also encouraging residents to contact Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn directly.

The RA's website includes a sample email for residents to send to commissioners. That template goes beyond the board's three requests, adding asks for light and noise protections for neighboring clusters and a "kiss-and-ride" drop-off area on the south side of the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station to offset traffic.

No public response from the developer appears in available records. Alcorn's position on the rezoning application is not reflected in public records as of publication.

The Nov. 18 hearing begins in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax.