Members, as a community service, we are providing the following information from PORA regarding the BNSF project. The views represented are those of PORA.
LOOKING OUT FOR YOU
“Looking Out for You” is the motto for the Sun City West Property Owners and Residents Association known as PORA. Because PORA is your quasi-governmental association for the community it advocates for the residents on issues related to the Corporation Commission (utility rate cases), zoning, street maintenance, traffic and safety (Board of Supervisors), communication with other West Valley communities and cities (Sun City, Surprise, Peoria) and water issues.
In response to a strong outcry from our community, PORA has been actively advocating for the community in opposition to the BNSF railroad project near Wittmann, in spite of some unfounded criticism to the contrary. PORA has met face to face with Supervisor Debbie Lesko and her staff members and also met face to face with BNSF officials to present and discuss the PORA BNSF Committee’s “Key Community Concerns.” No other organization in the area has enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the two major players for the project as PORA.
In keeping with PORA’s standard position to only consider information that can be determined to be factual and verifiable and reject inuendo and misinformation sources, an early strong position relative the BNSF project was not possible until after the face-to-face meeting with the BNSF officials.
The meeting with Supervisor Lesko on June 27, 2025 was especially interesting because this was the first time the railroad’s ability to preempt local and state laws had been discussed by a public official. As requested, PORA did not reveal the details of the preemption discussion. Now, with Ms. Lesko’s recent August 2025 Newsletter the preemptive laws have been discussed in detail and PORA has provided a short history of the law in a recent e-news special to its members. These publications are in response to the BNSF recent announcement that it will continue with the Intermodal phase of the project with or without a zoning change by the Board of Supervisors.
What next? Opposition petitions are available in the PORA office and on the PORA website to download and return to the PORA office where they will be submitted to Debbie Lesko’s office. Also available on the website are the BNSF Committee’s “Key Community Concerns” and names and addresses for our legislators along with Superintendent Lesko’s recent comments about the BNSF project. Go to www.porascw.org and select the link to the BNSF Project.
You may also contact PORA at:
• 13815 W Camino Del Sol
• 623-584-4288
• PORASCW.org
Thank you for your diligence in this matter. PORA is well versed and a respected player in this matter. If you are not a member, please join PORA as they are our liaison to city matters! We need them!!!!
When will PORA offer a online petition to sign?
Those that are physically unable to come in to signor bring in a petition, would still like show their opposition to this project. I would think voters could be authenticated 9by offering their rec center numbers.
Can any local resident or SCW member sign? Or is this only for PORA members?
“As requested, PORA did not reveal the details of the preemption discussion” Why was this requested?
Are minutes of these meeting now available?
We should have transparency on this issue..
Erin, you need to contact PORA to get answers to your questions. The recreation centers are just passing on information from PORA
I’m glad you are taking an active role in this issue.
What, specifically, is the PORA plan of action in this BNSF matter? What. actions does the PORA BOD envision executing to protect our community from the negative spillover effects of this development?
Why have we not seen any plans to assure access to Banner Hospital or medical buildings with added train traffic blocking the entrances from Grand?
Because there aren’t any plans.
This would fall under Maricopa county so you would need to contact them.
Why is this even a concern? What is it we are worried about? Its 11 miles away. Traffic should not be a concern.