On April 28 Mayor Tim Dimos convened a special meeting of the Middleburg Town Council to allow Salamander Hospitality, Inc. to explain their "change in design" for the proposed Salamander Inn project that is located on the northern border of Middleburg, to the Council, the Planning Commission and general public. Noting that the changes were, "of course, of interest to us." Dimos introduced the new President of Salamander Hospitality, Inc., Prem Devadas.

Devadas joined the Salamander organization only three weeks prior to the presentation, in which he outlined "the many changes that are occurring" to nearly 50 people crowded into the Town Office. Also in attendance were representatives from; McGuire Woods LLP, legal representation for Salamander; Oculus, landscape architects for the project; and Dr. Sheila Johnson, the owner of the Salamander property. The changes, according to Devadas, were designed to make the Salamander project "one-of-a-kind" on the East Coast. In the new plan "What was characterized as an inn is now a world-class resort." The new design transforms the Salamander project from a 58-room inn to a 120-room resort. However, less acreage will be occupied by the proposed 120-room resort than would have been covered by the 58-room inn. Devadas showed how this was done using two large sitemaps, which allowed easy comparison of the original and new design plans. A "wedding pavilion" in the old plan, was removed and additional space was added to the main building to provide for a conference center. Sites for six cottages in the original plan were also changed to take up less space.

The changes, said Devadas, were made to gear the inn less toward local visitors and more toward business and long-distance travelers who would spend more time on the site. He said that the new design calls for a 50/50 mix of conference guests and "transient/individual travelers, to make it a world-class resort." "It becomes a self-contained experience," said Devadas, "geared toward guests who will stay three plus nights," which means "less trips in and out" on local roads.

An alternate entryway to the property is also proposed which would take guests past local businesses on Washington Street, then onto Pendleton Street to the resort. The original entryway on Foxcroft Road will still be used, but only for staff members and deliveries. Devadas also emphasized that the only retail at the resort would be a standard sundries shop and also a retail facility for the spa. No other retail facilities are planned, he said, noting this would be good for local businesses, given the importance of shopping as an activity for guests in any modern resort. The new resort and conference center will also include stables, tennis courts, trails for hiking and riding, a fine-dining restaurant, bar and a 14-treatment-room spa and salon. Although the new Salamander design is geared toward out-of-town visitors, Devadas said that local guests would be welcome to dine at the restaurant or bar, use the conference center and patronize the star-quality salon and spa. "It's hard to imagine what world-class means until it is built," said Devadas, but he envisions the bar and restaurant becoming a community hub for local residents.

The proposed changes will, no doubt, slow down the approval and building process. A special exception will be required from Loudoun County. Devadas predicted that construction would begin by the end of this year and that the Salamander Resort will be open for the summer season of 2007.

Following his presentation, Devadas, Jonathan Rak of McGuire Woods and Dan Hoover of Oculus answered questions posed by Town Council and Planning Committee members.

During peak season, from April through October, the new Salamander resort should employ more than 200 people, including its own security staff. The new conference center, an extension of the main hotel building, would probably be booked primarily for events attracting outside guests to the hotel, but would, of course, also be available for local events. The architecture for the new design puts heavy emphasis on natural stone, slate roofing and other high quality exterior materials. "We thought, as a team, that the building should be less French Provincial and more Virginian," said Devadas. "The lines of the buildings actually become a bit simpler." Room rates would average $400-500 per night during peak season and near $250 off season. Spa packages, depending on the treatments, will range from $100 to $300.

McGuire Woods' Jonathan Rak explained that Salamander purposely made this presentation before submitting the plans to Loudoun County, with the hope of keeping the lines of communication open for future negotiations, especially regarding the new entryway and water and sewer lines. He made it clear that Salamander still hopes to be allowed to tie into the Town's water and sewer lines, but have an approved onsite treatment plant and drainfield plan they will implement if council does not offer the connections they seek. According to Devadas, Salamander Hospitality, Inc. plans to host a series of meetings to create a cohesive relationship with the town and to build a resort that creates a "win-win situation". "Our resolve is to be good neighbors, as is yours," said Dimos as he adjourned the meeting. No questions from the public were taken, although Salamander representatives stayed to speak unofficially with residents. Missy Schukraft, of McGuire Woods, explained to a few listeners that a road analysis is being conducted on the newly proposed entryway and that they will report back when the impact statement is complete. After speaking with a few people, Sheila Johnson seemed pleased at the outcome. "I think the response is very favorable," said Johnson, "We want to continue these dialogues in a very open manner." Johnson, later, said that she was thrilled to have Devadas on board "because Prem has experience, vision and foresight. He gave me a big reality check; he said that we could make it much better and use less space." "When she commits to something, she does it and she does it right," said Devadas of Johnson.

The site plans used in Devadas presentation may be viewed on request at the Salamander Development offices at 100 West Washington Street.