Powhatan planning commission recommends denial of Throttle Therapy motorsports park

The Powhatan County Planning Commission recommended denial of CUP 26‑03 — a request by Throttle Therapy Appomattox River LLC to establish an off‑road motorsports park on roughly 711 acres along the Appomattox River. After a staff presentation, public testimony and commissioner discussion, the commission voted 5–0 to deny the application.

Planning director Legan Webb told the commission staff’s review found the proposal raised unresolved concerns about compatibility with the county’s rural and conservation designations, potential demands on county services and public‑safety ingress/egress. Webb stated the staff recommendation on the record: "The plane director, recommends denial of the case 26 0 3 CUP." Webb framed the recommendation around review standards including noise, traffic, natural‑resource protection and emergency access.

Applicant Scott McAdoo, who identified himself as a veteran and first‑responder, asked the commission to approve the CUP subject to the staff‑drafted conditions. McAdoo emphasized operating limits and conditions, including a daily cap of 150 riders, limitations to Friday–Sunday operations, a seasonal closure from Dec. 16 through February, a required emergency‑management plan and a dedicated off‑road emergency response vehicle on site. "The conditions are your conditions. We agree to them," McAdoo said during his presentation.

Dozens of residents and experts testified during the public hearing. Opponents highlighted environmental risks in the Appomattox River corridor, possible impacts to wetlands and migratory birds, loud and chronic noise in otherwise rural neighborhoods, and safety concerns for narrow local roads. A sampling of opposition: Kitty Osborne, a former trauma nurse, described seeing severe injuries and urged caution, saying she did not want a similar tragedy "in my backdoor." Several speakers cited the agricultural and forestal district mapping and argued the county should protect riparian and priority conservation areas.

Supporters urged commissioners to consider the alternative — a by‑right residential subdivision — and said a carefully managed motorsports park could preserve open land, provide local recreation and generate tourism. Local riders and business advocates described the sport as family‑oriented and said properly managed parks can coexist with wildlife and neighboring uses.

Commission discussion focused on access and traffic on Rocky Ford and River Estates roads, enforceability of noise conditions, emergency access concerns (notably one one‑way in/one‑way out stretches), and the county’s authority to require dedication of adjoining owners’ land for a public road. After debate Commissioners moved, seconded, and carried a motion to deny the CUP. A roll‑call vote recorded five ayes, zero nos.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of Supervisors, which will take the final action after its own public hearing. The commission recorded its reasons for denial as: public‑safety concerns including ingress/egress; overall traffic conditions; incompatibility with surrounding land uses; risk of adverse impacts; and protection of natural resources including the Appomattox River and Skippers Creek.