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Amelia residents urge scrutiny of proposed Powhatan motorsports park, citing noise and environmental worries
Summary
Several Amelia County residents told the Board of Supervisors they fear a proposed motorsports park across the Appomattox River in neighboring Powhatan County would bring excessive noise, traffic and harm to wetlands and wildlife, and urged county neighbors to attend Powhatan hearings.
Speakers at Amelia County’s June Board of Supervisors public comment period urged local officials and neighbors to monitor a proposed motorsports park in adjacent Powhatan County, saying the project could harm the rural character and natural resources of the shared watershed.
Eric Burr, an Amelia County resident, said the proposed Fluvanna Therapy Motorsports Park would generate “excessive noise” and disrupt the quiet, rural environment residents value. He said he recorded a sound test near his property and played a short video excerpt for the board as evidence of potential impacts.
Teresa Kelly, who lives just across the river in Powhatan County, told the board that even though Amelia cannot regulate the project, Amelia citizens should understand the potential cross‑border consequences. She said the application initially described up to 200 riders on weekends and special events drawing as many as 500 people, and urged residents to attend the Powhatan Planning Commission meeting on July 7 and the Powhatan Board of Supervisors meeting on July 27.
Both speakers pressed concerns about traffic on Route 360, Genito Road and other nearby roads, and about impacts to wetlands and wildlife habitat along the river. Kelly emphasized that traffic from visitors traveling from surrounding counties could measurably increase local road use.
Board members and staff responded that Powhatan is the permitting jurisdiction and Amelia has limited regulatory authority over projects across the river, but welcomed the information from neighbors and encouraged public attendance at the Powhatan hearings.
The public comments did not prompt a formal action by the Amelia board at the meeting. Residents pressed officials to share information and urged coordination with local conservation groups and neighboring governments as the Powhatan application proceeds.
