At its February monthly meeting on February 20, delayed for a full week because of snow, Town Council approved a motion critical to Salamander's plans to build a "zipline canopy tour" in a 189-acre "open space conservation easement" jointly held by the Town, Salamander, and the Potomac Conservancy.

Any changes in the easement agreement had to be approved by Salamander, the Potomac Conservancy, and the Town of Middleburg.

Thursday's Council approval, with no negative votes and two abstentions, allows Salamander to proceed with planning and construction of a "challenge course" within a one-acre building zone, a zip-line and tree-top canopy tour facility within a 20-acre area, plus a waterless restroom facility and recreational shelter.

The project had been approved in principle by Council last spring, pending agreement on draft language and legal review.

Described as both a tool for executive training, motivation and team building, the project will also serve as an educational and environmental monitoring asset.