168-Room Resort and Spa Approved by Middleburg Council
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Friday, August 10, 2007
The Middleburg Town Council voted Thursday night to approve a developer’s application to build a controversial resort and spa in town, ending five years of debate over whether the resort would ruin Middleburg’s small-town character.
The council approved a rezoning application and special-use permit, clearing the way for billionaire Sheila C. Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and chief executive of Salamander Hospitality, to build a 168-room hotel on the edge of town.
“I’m really trying to hold back tears,” said Johnson, who attended the meeting and participated in a signing ceremony with town officials. “I’m absolutely thrilled it’s come to this. It has been a very long process.”
In a public hearing before yesterday’s vote, several residents said the resort would be an economic boon to Middleburg.
“This will bring in jobs for kids,” said George Wiltshire, a lifelong Middleburg resident and horse farm owner. “I hear people saying it will bring traffic. Traffic’s going to be here no matter what.”
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Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Hospitality, said that construction on the resort is scheduled to begin next month and that completion is anticipated for late 2009. A related project, construction of a wastewater treatment plant to serve the town, is expected to start early next year and be finished within a year, Devadas said.
Almost immediately after Johnson announced plans to build a 40-room resort in 2002, the proposal raised eyebrows. Opponents said it would snarl traffic and destroy Middleburg’s charm. In 2003, some residents formed Future of Middleburg, a coalition to oppose the resort. The group funded an effort to have Loudoun County zoning officials stop development of the inn, but the request was rejected. Salamander received county approval to build a 58-room resort in 2004.
The proposal sparked debate again in 2005, when Salamander sought to expand the proposed resort to 120 rooms and asked that Middleburg adjust its boundaries to incorporate the inn within the town’s limits. In return for the town’s approval, Johnson agreed to build a wastewater treatment plant to replace Middleburg’s aging facility.
Planned Resort
Then, in March, Salamander sought 48 additional rooms, saying the expansion was needed to make the project economically viable. Despite some opposition, council members approved the request in June.
At the public hearing yesterday, town planning commissioner Kathy Ribaudo said she was concerned that the new inn could take business away from other restaurants and lodgings.
“My main concern is that you don’t want to detract from the main street of Middleburg,” she said. “Once you start to detract from your main street, you’ve lost a lot of your charm. My concern is also that you’re going to divide the town into the new town and the old town.”
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OK, I have to ask. Why would anyone want to stay at the Salamander Inn, a high end resort which really does not offer anything? What I mean by not offering anything is that there is no beach, no skiing, and no golf, so why will anyone want to come there? Middleburg is a very nice little town but it is really not a destination. Building a 168 room hotel is not going to make it one. Having watched this project from the start, I have often wondered if Dr Johnson has ever commissioned a serious marketing study to determine the viability of this project. I cannot for the life of me believe that any honest study would have recommended a project of this magnitude. Also, given the current market conditions, I this am having a hard time believing this project will ever be realized.
In the mean time, Dr Johnson is taking a beautiful piece of naturally preserved land and destroying it. In Gods name why? It not like she needs the money.
Posted by ntrlsol (anonymous) on August 10, 2007 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt she will "destroy" such a significant investment.
People DO travel to Middleburg, from all over the world, and some bring their horses. The Salamander is precisely the kind of place that will serve such a clientele.
Granted, the average Joe is not necessarily going to make it their next vacation, but it fits within the design of the much-vaunted rural business model of the Revised General Plan. It also preserves most of the property, and allows the locals to continue to ride on the land. In addition, it will provide MUCH NEEDED upgrades to Middleburg's failing infrastructure, and it was strongly supported by local businesses within the town.
I imagine that a dedicated group of billionaires COULD buy all the land in Loudoun that is currently undeveloped, and never touch it ever again, and that would accomplish what exactly? Maybe if it were sealed completely like a terrarium....
This is Middleburg's business, town businesses supported it, and the council voted for it. A new five star resort is in the offing, providing employment, BUSINESS TAXES, and hopefully spillover business to the existing shops in the town. Go, Dr. Johnson! Knock our socks off, ma'am!
Posted by barbara_munsey (anonymous) on August 10, 2007 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh yes, the much needed upgrades. I was always lead to believe that things like sewage treatment plants, roads, schools etc were the responsibly of local and state governments (issuing bonds and such) which is why they are called public works projects. (When Dr. Johnson sees the final bill on the new sewage treatment plant she may wish that it was a public works project since things like this never come in under budget). Yes I know that these days it is not unusual for local governments to extract “proffers” from developers but agreeing to rehabilitate an entire town’s water and sewer system is somewhat unusual.
But look, I am all for property rights and Dr Johnson has the right to do what she wants with her land and I RESPECT that. I just still do not see this as a viable project and nothing I have read to date has changed my mind. My prediction is that this five star resort (if it is built) will become a three star conference center run by Host Marriott. Lots of people around here have “drunk the kool aid” so to speak about the benefits Salamander will bring to Middleburg. I just hope that they are not disappointed.
Best regards
Posted by ntrlsol (anonymous) on August 11, 2007 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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