Green Development: A Broad Vision

It should go without saying that I speak only for myself...but just in case, I've said it. Since nobody has yet engaged in anything substantive, I'll try. I really do not want this to turn into "Jeff's Blog", but my hope is that within a week or two all these posts by me will be lost in the pages full of interesting and valuable input from others. Hell, maybe I'll even delete my own posts.

On to the whole "green" thing. A reasonable question is, "What does that even mean?" Do we put up some solar panels on one of the new buildings and call it "green"? Do we figure out what "Grey Water System" is, encourage it's use, and call it Green? I think not.

What I'm saying is that Reston at it's founding was a model for "New Town" development, and Lake Anne is its centerpiece. I'd like to see this revitalization effort be a model for Green Development. A "Big Deal". Something people write about all over the world, as in, "Wow, those silly Reston people did a redevelopment project of their historic core and actually improved and enhanced it's sustainability, environmental impact, and commercial value. All at the same time."

Please let's not end up with what they did to Tall Oaks or Hunters Woods.

I'm specifically interested in comments or new posts which explore the following:

• Am I off my rocker? Is it realistic to expect that we can influence the process that much, given the complexities of ownership, easement, historic overlay, etc.
• Even if we can, is it really a good idea? I mean, it's not possible that everyone agrees with me.
  
• My concept of "Green Development" is so broad as to be almost meaningless. Please help me refine it.