Members,
We know there is a lot of interest in the proposed BNSF logistics park, and how it may impact Sun City West.
For those who have not heard: BNSF Railway is proposing a $3.2 billion, 4,320-acre freight rail facility near U.S. 60 in Wittmann. According to the company, the site “will facilitate the transportation, storage and distribution of goods throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area and the broader Southwest region.” It would integrate with and connect this region to BNSF’s 32,500-mile freight rail network.
At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is slated to vote on a Major Comprehensive Plan Amendment and a rezoning request that would pave the way for the project.
PORA has formed a committee to monitor the proposed project and keep residents informed. The Rec Centers has agreed to help PORA with its educational efforts. The Rec Centers will assist with distribution of information from PORA that is verifiably factual and unbiased, as it becomes available from PORA.
In the meantime, additional references for more information on this project include:
Report to the Board of Supervisors by Maricopa County Planning and Development on March 26, 2025.
Comments from Maricopa County District 4 Supervisor Debbie Lesko.
The agenda for the Board of Supervisors’ Aug. 20 meeting is not yet posted, but will be available here at least 24 hours before the meeting.
BNSF has posted an FAQ page about the project on its website.
This project will be detrimental to the West Valley and beyond ! Traffic overload, air, light and sound pollution, excessive water use, public health and safety issues, environmental impact issues, school and community safety concerns…the list goes on!
Write or call Senator Carroll, Representative Pingerelli, Representative Livingston and Supervisor Debbie Lesko. Do it SOON!
Is there a petition we can sign to keep this from happening? We are so close to the 303 and highway 60 that the noise and congestion and air quality will be a big detriment to Sun City West.
Hello Ted and Sandra. We are not aware of a petition to stop the BNSF project. Your Maricopa County Supervisor is Debbie Lesko, 602-506-7642.
Petitions are available to sign at the PORA office. The committee will also be at Rec Center Common areas at different times . We’ll begin this after next Wednesday, July 9. We’ll try to be available where there are people. (Pools, courts, clubs, etc)
Debbie Lesko has asked all concerned citizens to reach out to her. She can be reached at 602-506-7642 or at district4@maricopa.gov
Please include your full name and address in any communication.
Stop by the PORA office. They have petitions to sign.
here is a link to the petition https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-bnsf-railroad-from-constructing-an-intermodal-hub-in-the-phoenix-west-valley?recruiter=858170703&recruited_by_id=827e3a90-14ef-11e8-b3a6-d3c1769804be&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard&utm_medium=copylink
I am very concerned about the impact on our community. Not only this railroad fiasco, but also about the HUGE warehouse that has been built on Bell and Dysart. They are also filling in that particular area with other buildings. Just saw a new dental clinic being built there today. The city of Surprise is creating a mess for all that live in this area because of the “mighty dollar”. It’s disgraceful.
BNSF will bring more traffic (semi-trucks too), more pollution and more trains up and down Grand AVE/HWY60! I urge all SCW resident to reach out to our board of supervisors representative, Debbie Lesko and tell her of your concerns. She is listening! Please be sure to include your full name and address in any correspondence with her.
Debbie Lesko
602-506-7642
district4@maricopa.gov
Thank you for getting the word out to the residents of SCW! While I appreciate you posting this information, please note that some of the information that is on the BNSF FAQ (which you link to above) is not factual. In the species section, they fail to mention that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and its regulatory agency put migratory bird species as protected.
Note: This facility will hurt SCW, and all surrounding areas with health and human safety. Please visit PORA and sign petitions objecting to this facility!
Traffic & water are the main concerns in my opinion. The area will become do over built, no one will want to live here. The money grabs and greediness is out of control.
Is anyone watching out for the future?
Thank you PORA and info there are petitions for this. Debbie Lesko seems to be bringing in new schools, the BNSF and sounds like SCW is on the losing side according to the Independent News. She is about the ultimate buck not the safety of our community. I have been a ZONIE since 1971 and brand new to SCW and now I see the same ordeal as Phoenix at large. Shame on you Debbie Lesko district4.
I can assure you this, just like I told the council about the overgrowth on 163rd Ave when they rezoned the area for massive housing.
I talked to one of the engineers at the Nataburg meeting from BNSF, and he was shocked after I told him the fact that 1,500 semi-trucks competing with the ridiculous amount of cars flying in and out of 163rd will be disastrous. He was completely unaware of the dangerous intersection.
This will result in many more accidents, and with semi-trucks in the mix, it will be ugly, as we already know how dangerous 163rd Ave. & Grand Ave. has become.
Also having to back up all the way to Four Sons is horrendous.