Soapstone News

March 2026

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Reminders

Board Meeting

April 15, 2026 – 7:00 pm

Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 219 087 101 834 74
Passcode: zd2KU2Tc

Dial in by phone:
+1 321-558-6407
Code: 504809100#

From the Board

February was an exceptionally full and productive month for Soapstone Cluster, and we appreciate the strong level of engagement across the community. Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting on February 21 and to those who submitted ballots in advance, allowing us to achieve quorum. At the meeting, the FY2027 Budget was approved and the Board shared highlights from the past year along with priorities for 2026. The full meeting minutes are available on our website.

The Board has been working on several governance and design updates. The Inspection Procedures for Exterior Property Maintenance have been formally adopted and will take effect April 1, 2026. These procedures clarify how observable exterior maintenance concerns are reviewed and how the Board coordinates with Reston Association to provide transparency and consistency. The full document is available on our website under Governing Documents.

Reston Association’s Design Review Board has also approved updated House Number Standards for Soapstone Cluster, modernizing the previous requirement to reflect styles already common throughout the neighborhood.

In addition, draft updates to the Fence Standards—primarily focused on adding stain color options and clarifying guidance regarding fence caps—are being coordinated with Reston Association and will be shared soon for resident review and feedback before any changes are finalized.

We recently issued a Request for Proposals for a new landscaping maintenance contract, as our current agreement expires March 31. Proposals are under review, and we expect to finalize and sign a new contract effective April 1, 2026. More information will be shared once a contractor is selected.

On the environmental front, we have completed the volunteer requirements for our PRISM invasive plant removal grant. On the afternoon of February 21, volunteers helped remove a large Oriental bittersweet vine between two rows of townhomes on Hearthstone that was affecting several mature trees. With the required hours now fulfilled, the Association will receive full reimbursement for the contractor removal work. Although the grant portion is complete, protecting our tree canopy remains important, and we hope to continue invasive vine removal efforts moving forward.

We have also received questions regarding towing and would like to remind residents that vehicles must comply with cluster parking rules and posted guidelines. Inoperable or improperly parked vehicles may be subject to towing in accordance with those rules. Only a Board member may implement the Parking Policy as outlined in our Handbook, so please coordinate with us before taking action.

At the April 15 Board meeting, we expect to discuss a proposed Investment Policy Statement for the Association’s reserve funds. This policy would establish guidelines for investing reserve funds, emphasizing safety, long-term stability, and financial transparency as part of strengthening the Association’s financial governance.

Finally, we briefly considered transitioning to quarterly newsletters this year; however, many residents shared that they value the regular monthly updates. Based on that feedback, we will continue publishing newsletters each month to keep everyone informed and aware of ongoing projects and decisions within the cluster.

Warm regards,
Soapstone Cluster Board of Directors

Community Events

Reston Association Board Election

📍 Reston Association
February 27 – March 31, 2026
Voting closes 5:00 pm

Spring Marketplace

📍 Reston Community Center – Hunters Woods
March 7, 2026
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Reston Multicultural Festival

📍 Reston Community Center – Lake Anne
March 15, 2026
11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Women’s Storytelling Festival

📍 Reston Community Center – Lake Anne
March 19–22, 2026
Various times

Early Spring Bird Walk

📍 Walker Nature Center
March 28, 2026
8:00 am

Contact

✉ board@soapstonecluster.org
🌐 https://soapstonecluster.org