BNSF gets third rezoning delay for rail hub project amid growing resident opposition in Wittmann
BNSF Railway Co.’s planned multibillion-dollar rail hub project north of Phoenix has more hurdles to face as a vote was delayed to November.
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BNSF Railway Co.’s planned multibillion-dollar rail hub project north of Phoenix, which has faced ongoing delays and resident opposition since the process for rezoning began last year, has more hurdles to face.
On Aug. 20, BNSF received approval to delay a rezoning vote through the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors for the third time, with a vote now scheduled for Nov. 5.
The move comes as residents are ramping up efforts to incorporate the area into a town, aiming to use the designation to gain a greater say in local planning and zoning decisions.
Some legislators are also getting involved, penning letters to BNSF backing the validity of residents’ concerns with the proposed development.
This story is posted in partnership with Phoenix Business Journal. Click to read the full story.
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Comments
2 Comments
Oddly Wittmann owes it's very existence to the railroad, without the railroad stopping nearby Wittmann wouldn't have popped up. Wittmann's knee jerk proposed incorporation is ill conceived at best and will do little to truly benefit the town or it's "residents" in the long run outside of securing a small ring around the already small dot on the map.
With incorporation comes hefty taxes to subsidize the towns new and ever growing expansive governmental infrastructure. Winning the battle should never be confused with winning the war.
Simple solution, BNSF should either buy out the town and evict everyone or they simply buy up some large ranches nearby and move the project to a less hostile location.
Union Pacific will face the same predictable resistance when they expand operations between Red Rock and Eloy.
Everyone loves a train, unless it's in your front yard.
Opposition? This is a scrub land and by the looks of it already building multiple lanes of roadway for 18 wheelers. What's the difference. At least a train has its own lane.