Faced With Massive Opposition, County Supervisors Reject Zoning Change For 4,300 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Hub Proposed For Phoenix Metropolitan Area

(WITTMANN, Ariz.)  Today, by a vote of 5 to 0, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has rejected a zoning change that would have created a massive and unpopular rail hub, proposed by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), engulfing the western Maricopa County community of Wittmann. The unanimous decision was made at the November 5th meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Members rejected a Major Comprehensive Plan Amendment that would have facilitated the 4,300-acre rail hub to move forward.

The facility would have been the largest intermodal facility in the nation. It would have caused tons of hazardous materials to move through the region. BNSF has yet to release a safety plan should the worst happen. The project would have impacted Wittmann and surrounding communities such as Wickenburg, Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, Morristown, and others. It also would have created increased crime, traffic, noise and air pollution, and 18 million square feet of ugly warehousing space. It would have put a strain on emergency services and groundwater supplies.

Opposition leader and Wittmann resident Kirby Anderson said, “This project is over. The vote was 5 to 0. It’s done. This is a victory not only for Wittmann but citizens everywhere who are often faced with extraordinary odds going against the powerful. We thank Supervisor Debbie Lesko, our incredible representative, for her leadership and her resolve.

Opposition letters came from the City of Surprise, the Nadaburg School District, the Sun City West Property Owners and Residents Association, Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp, and Arizona State Senator Frank Carroll. That’s in addition to the thousands of residents who already contacted Maricopa County urging the Board of Supervisors to reject this disastrous proposal.