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Salamander to go before council for final approval
A vote that could decide the fate of the Salamander Resort and Spa may take place as early as Aug. 9 at Middleburg's Town Council and public hearing meeting.
The five-star resort is planned for 340 acres of property annexed to Middleburg in 2005.
The town was to vote on Salamander after a public hearing July 26, but because an advertisement publicizing the hearing was not published in the July 13 edition of Leesburg Today, the vote was rescheduled for August, said Town Planner and Zoning Administrator David Beniamino.
Middleburg's bylaws state that the town must advertise public hearings before a vote, Beniamino said. Advertisements must run two consecutive weeks -- no more than 21 days and no fewer than five days before the meeting during which the vote will be taken.
The delay is "unfortunate," said Salamander representative Prem Devadas, but the project remains on schedule.
The resort's plans have been approved by the Town's Planning Commission, which forwarded its recommendation for approval to the council after its July 9 meeting, said Town Manager Jerry Schiro. The approval includes a zoning text amendment to allow a resort and spa in an agricultural zone; a special-use permit that allows the 168 rooms the resort requested; a mixed-use village zone for 30,000 square feet of commercial space; a zoning map amendment that includes Salamander on the town's zoning map; and approval of site plans.
"We are hopeful the council will approve our application," said Devadas, who said site work could begin in September if the town OKs the plans.
At a planning meeting in Fauquier County, rumors that Salamander was pulling out of its plans abounded after news surfaced of Salamander owner Shelia Johnson's purchase of a Florida resort.
"There is absolutely no truth to the rumors that we are pulling out," Devadas said. "I believe sometimes people who are not in favor of something make up rumors."
Most of those opposed to the resort coming to Middleburg are worried about the effects it could have on the small town of about 650.
Salamander – a $100 million project -- has been a difficult pill for the town to swallow since Johnson announced development plans in 2003. Worries include the arrival of more traffic, residents and construction.
But some of the town's big issues could be solved with the aid of the mega resort. Salamander has agreed to finance a $5 million sewer treatment facility, which will serve the town as well as the resort.
Contact the reporter at hhobbs@timespapers.com
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