During the Moore County Board of Commissioners meeting on Nov. 19, the commissioners voted to move forward with the proposed Uwharrie Motorsports Park & Resort near the Moore-Montgomery county line on Leach Road.
This first-of-its-kind $100 million driving resort in North Carolina will be where car lovers can showcase and permanently store their automobiles. Additionally, members can enjoy an upscale driving experience on a three-mile driving course.
Overview
According to data presented by Uwharrie Motorsports Park, “The project is in an Opportunity Zone, an area designated by the State of N.C. and the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to attract capital investment and jobs that raise income levels in economically distressed areas.”
Additionally, more than 30% (118 +/- acres) of the nearly 400-acre property in the Northwestern part of Moore County will remain as permanent open space.
The purpose of the meeting was not to go over the venue’s layout or details, as those had been addressed in earlier meetings. Instead, the focus was to hear from residents during a public hearing, discuss zoning issues, and ensure that the proposed conditions were accepted and upheld. These conditions aim to address community concerns about sound, operating hours, traffic, lighting, and the preservation of a historic cemetery on the property.
The Conditions
The first condition regarded excessive noise coming from the park. Commissioner Frank Quis pressed for confirmation that nearby residents would not hear cars from the park.
To manage sound, the park plans to cap noise levels at 75 decibels at the property boundary. Tests conducted under worst-case conditions – without trees or sound barriers – demonstrated that the proposed mitigation strategies would be effective.
Future measures include installing earthen berms to absorb noise, preserving or adding vegetation, and using sound panels designed by a professional sound engineer. A sound engineer with 49 years of experience was present to explain that vehicles running on the track would undergo compliance checks, and sound monitoring devices would be placed at key points, including near residential areas, with all data centrally analyzed and documented.
The park’s operating hours were also detailed, ranging from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., depending on the day of the week, type of vehicle, and special events.
However, Chairman Nick Picerno challenged the Sunday morning schedule. Picerno, “as a Christian,” felt that early hours would “keep people out of church.”
Uwharrie Motorsports yielded and said the park would open at 1 p.m. on Sundays.
The commissioners, namely Kurt Cook, also discussed the preservation of a historic cemetery on the property. According to the proposal, the cemetery will remain in its original location or be relocated in consultation with the Moore and Montgomery Historical societies and family members of those interred.
Two more conditions regarded proper lighting and traffic management, which were reviewed and deemed up to Moore County standards.
However, Picerno inserted a new condition that he said was “very valuable.”
“Would you be willing to put up a performance bond of $1 million for land restoration if your project fails as part of the conditions?” he asked.
The attorney for the motorsports park answered, “I don’t think that’s a lawful condition, sir … this sort of thing is not really a land use issue. The statutes say that it’s not to be taken—”
“Well, the land use issue I have,” interjected Picerno, “is if this fails, if you’ve gone in, if you’ve cleared the land, and you’re going to leave it a mess, that’s an issue. We’re not going to allow that, so either you can accept that condition, or this thing may not get passed, and you won’t have to worry about it. It’s not on this list, and I want it added to the list.”
Minimal deliberation was needed by the company, who agreed. The attorney pointed out, however, that it is not a standard zoning condition but that the client is willing to accept it voluntarily.
The Vote
After hearing residents voice their concerns about the motorsports park, the commissioners voted on the rezoning from rural agriculture to planned development conditional zoning, with commissioners Picerno, Cook, and Jim Von Canon supporting it while commissioners Quis and John Ritter opposed it. The motion passed 3-2, with the motorsports park agreeing to all proposed amendments to the conditions.
Following the vote, Picerno invited each commissioner to explain his decision to the public.
Ritter spoke up, thanking attendees for their participation and recognizing the importance of public input. He explained his opposition, including concerns for nearby residents and the significant changes the motorsports park could bring to the county’s North end, which he felt might not align with the community’s interests.
Picerno cited the measures taken to ensure noise levels would not disturb neighboring properties and emphasized the area’s 32.8% poverty rate, noting the potential for economic development as a compelling factor.
Feature photo: Uwharrie Motorsports Park & Resort rendering from Autoport.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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