CPA2024006 BOS REPORT_11-5-25PART-39.PDF

12870.1.5080493.1
GAMMAGE & BURNHAM, PLC
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
40 NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE
20TH FLOOR
PHOENIX, ARIZONA  85004
November 20, 2024
Via Email
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 
Jack Sellers, Chairman of the Board (jack.sellers@maricopa.gov)
Clint Hickman, District 4 Supervisor (clint.hickman@maricopa.gov)
301 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
Re:
CPA2024006– BNSF Intermodal CPA
Dear Chairman Sellers and Supervisor Hickman:
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the above-referenced Major 
Comprehensive Plan Amendment case on December 11, 2024.  On behalf of BNSF, the applicant and 
property owner, we respectfully request that the Board continue this matter to its March 26, 2025 meeting.  
As you likely know, Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-805(J) requires all Major Comprehensive Plan 
Amendment applications to be presented at a single Board meeting during the calendar year that the 
application is submitted. Therefore, pursuant to the statute, a public hearing must be conducted for 
CPA2024006 at your December 11,  2024 meeting with all other Major Comprehensive Plan Amendment 
applications, but then may be continued to future Board of Supervisors meeting for a decision.  We are 
requesting that the Board hold the required public hearing and then continue CPA2024006 to the March 
26, 2025 meeting to allow BNSF time to continue their efforts working with the community, stakeholders, 
and other interested parties and such that the application can be heard concurrently with the companion 
rezoning request, Case Number Z2024072.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 602-256-4456 or 
sdemmitt@gblaw.com.  Thank you for your consideration of this request.  
         Sincerely,
GAMMAGE & BURNHAM
By
Susan E. Demmitt
SED/nas
cc:
Tom Ellsworth
Scott Isham
Susan E. Demmitt
sdemmitt@gblaw.com
TELEPHONE (602) 256-0566
FACSIMILE (602) 256-4475
___________________
WRITER’S DIRECT LINE
(602) 256-4456
GAMMAG
A E & BURNHAM
By
Susan E Demmitt

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Date Mon 8/11/2025 10:53 AM
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District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
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Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Dalton Messenger
Email
dalton@stevensonbuilders.com
Phone
6236068503
Address / City / State / Zip
18627 W El Cortez Pl Surprise AZ 85387
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I’m opposed completely to BNSF building in the proposed
Wittmann location which will impact my daily commute on
Grand Ave with added traffic and extreme safety concerns.
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Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Dalton Messenger
Email
dmessenger@renegadearmory.com
Phone
6236068503
Address / City / State / Zip
18627 W El Cortez Pl Surprise AZ 85387
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I’m opposed to the BNSF Railroad Project proposed in
Wittmann. Grand Ave is the only outlet road my family and I
have access to leave our house. This project is expected to
add 22,000 vehicles per day if built, which would not only
increase traffic to an already bloated roadway, but would
decrease my property value. Please do not support this project
and fight for mine and many other residents’ voices to squash
this development.
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Date Mon 8/11/2025 2:56 PM
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District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
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Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Dan Goebel
Email
invest4dan@use.startmail.com
Phone
6236801262
Address / City / State / Zip
22478 N 77th Ave Peoria Az 85383
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I recommend a "no" vote for BNSF railway Logistics center.
There are a LOT of homes going up in that area and plenty of
traffic. Are they Providing their own power (electricity)??
With kind regards,
Dan Goebel
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Date Sat 5/10/2025 12:56 PM
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District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
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additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Dana Alexander
Email
dana.alexander66@gmail.com
Phone
6514545745
Address / City / State / Zip
22027 W Blue Sky Drive Wittmann AZ 85361
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
BNSF intermodal is a HARD NO!!!! We left the suburbs to
come to a rural area for a REASON. WE WANT TO REMAIN
RURAL. This rail yard needs to moved to another location. With
manufacturing coming back to the US, and less imports from
China, the less trains moving goods will be needed anyway.
This is a good argument for US made products!
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Date Sun 8/17/2025 8:21 PM
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additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Dave Singer
Email
Davsinger@comcast.net
Phone
303-884-8104
Address / City / State / Zip
22111 N Giovota Dr, Sun City West, AZ
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
Please consider the opposition to BNS request to industrialize
the community of Whitman, to include a 1,770-acre Intermodal
facility, a 1,420-acre Logistics Park with warehouses, a 1,109-
acre Logistics Center and a 22-acre Wastewater Treatment
facility. It is only 15 miles away from planned communities.
Surprise grew from its humble beginnings into one of Arizona's
most vibrant cities, thanks to new housing developments and
amenities that attracted families and retirees alike. In addition
the iconic Surprise Stadium attracts thousands of tourists for
spring training which compliments the region.
Between the well-planned neighborhoods, reasonable cost of
living, booming real estate market, and abundant recreational
opportunities, Surprise offers a high quality of life for families,
retirees, and young professionals alike.
BNS plans are a black eye to the region. Industrializing near
beautifully planned communities is counter to promoting quality
of life. It disrespects the people who have committed to and
built up what the region is today. This project does not

complement the current designs for the region and should not
be supported, Industrial noise, unsightly warehouses, traffic
upon traffic , rail yards are community killers and devalue
surrounding properties. If a business cannot provide value or
uplift the community it should be pushed out. Find another
location.
The whispers around the community , since having to fight
airports, dumps, and now railroads, warehouses, and chemical
plants , is maybe the Sun has set on Paradise. That would be
sad.
Thank you for representing the people.
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Protect Wittmann’s Rural Lifestyle – Oppose the BNSF Railway Development
From David Hamilton <dshamilton53@outlook.com>
Date Mon 5/19/2025 9:16 AM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Dear Supervisor Debbie Lesko,
I am wriƟng as a concerned resident of WiƩmann, AZ regarding the proposed BNSF Railway project. Our
community is facing significant threats from this development, including: - Environmental Impact: The
construcƟon and operaƟon of a large logisƟcs hub will lead to increased noise, air, and light polluƟon. -
Public Health & Safety: With the influx of diesel trucks and trains, we expect a rise in traffic accidents
and hazardous emissions that could harm children, the elderly, and all community members. - Economic
and Community Concerns: This project will likely lower property values and erode the cherished rural
character of WiƩmann. I respecƞully urge you to take immediate acƟon by opposing the project and
advocaƟng for alternaƟve soluƟons that protect our quality of life. I would appreciate informaƟon on
how you plan to address these issues, and I look forward to your response. Thank you for your service
and for represenƟng our community.
Sincerely,
David Hamilton
25152 W. Montgomery Rd.
WiƩmann, AZ 85361
770-316-1109

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Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - District 4
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Date Sun 8/24/2025 5:37 AM
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Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
David Helman
Email
swiggy41@gmail.com
Phone
617-899-1022
Address / City / State / Zip
16610 W. Tranquility Ln., Surprise AZ 85387
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
Dear Supervisor Lesko,
Thank you for your email update on the proposed BNSF facility.
I am strongly opposed to the development and construction of
this facility. I think it would have significant adverse effects on
the residents of the surrounding communities. There would be
a major increase in truck traffic, environmental impacts, and a
severe impact on the quality of life in the region.
I hope that you will consider doing what you can to stop the
development of this BNSF facility.
Sincerely yours,
David N. Helman, M.D.
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Date Tue 8/12/2025 7:45 PM
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District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
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Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
david marley
Email
dmarley7@gmail.com
Phone
6234665955
Address / City / State / Zip
16025 W Autumn Sage Dr.
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I'm against the BNSF Project.
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Date Tue 8/12/2025 12:19 PM
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Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
David McGrath
Email
davemcgrath2007@gmail.com
Phone
7195960405
Address / City / State / Zip
16754 W Palisade Trail Ln, Surprise, AZ 85387
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
Dear Supervisor Lesko,
My wife and I are adamantly against the BNSF rail hub being
built in the Wittman area. The roads that will support the
proposed project are not built to accommodate the amount and
type of traffic it will generate. In addition, if this hub will result in
more rail traffic along Grand Avenue between the 303 and Bell
Road, life threatening access to the Banner Del Web hospital
from the southwest would be adversely impacted. Considering
the demographics of the area we live in, emergency vehicle
travel to this hospital is a frequent occurrence. We are not
opposed to the building of this facility, only the location. I think
Warren Buffett, will his billions of dollars, could afford to build
this hub further out in the desert where it would not have such a
negative effect on the surrounding communities.
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BNSF Hub NO vote!
From Dave <davsinger@comcast.net>
Date Wed 9/10/2025 11:02 AM
To
Joel Landis (PND) <Joel.Landis@maricopa.gov>
Dave Singer
+1 (303) 884-8104

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FW: Message in opposition to BNSF Rail Hub
From Scott Isham <Scott.Isham@Maricopa.Gov>
Date Wed 9/3/2025 1:47 PM
To
Joel Landis (PND) <Joel.Landis@maricopa.gov>; Bill Leal (DOT) <Bill.Leal@Maricopa.Gov>
FYI
From: Debbie Lesko <debbie@debbielesko.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 1:40 PM
To: Bill Leal (DOT) <Bill.Leal@Maricopa.Gov>
Cc: ScoƩ Isham <ScoƩ.Isham@Maricopa.Gov>
Subject: Fwd: Message in opposiƟon to BNSF Rail Hub
Please forward to p&d ----- Original message ----- From: Lisa Everett <lisaeverettaz@gmail.com> To: Debbie Lesko <debbie@debbielesko.com> Subject: Fwd: Message in opposition to BNSF Rail Hub Date: Wednesday, September 03, 2025
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Please forward to p&d
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <saveazcowboyculture@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Sep 3, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Subject: Message in opposition to BNSF Rail Hub
To: <scott.isham@maricopa.gov>
CC: Laura Deaver <deaver.laura@gmail.com>, Kirby Anderson
<kanderson@mgccontractors.com>, Lisa Everett <lisaeverettaz@gmail.com>,
<countymanagersoffice@maricopa.gov>
Dear Supervisor Lesko,
We are very, very worried about potential hazardous materials spills in
Wittmann resulting from the giant BNSF rail hub proposed for our
community. Toxic substances, flammable liquids, explosive gases, all
would be moving through Wittmann if BNSF gets its way. They
would be doing so on a level that’s hard to fathom.
Thanks for all you do for the people of Maricopa County. And thanks
for stating your current opposition to the rail hub. As residents who

live in or near Wittmann, we have a long list of concerns about this
4,200-acre project which would engulf our community.  There is a
reason there are no homes within five miles of APS’ Palo Verde
nuclear power plant. That should be the case here with this
enormously sized and enormously dangerous project.
While BNSF could not be bothered to respond to questions from the
Phoenix Business Journal for a recent article, a BNSF spokeswoman
recently told the Surprise Independent, “We can’t prohibit car load
hazardous materials shipments on our network.” Wonderful. Yet they
have articulated no plan for hazardous waste spills or catastrophes,
and the local firefighting system has no ability to handle such.
Wittmann is served by the Arizona Fire & Medical Authority
(AFMA). While there are no real complaints about the current service
they provide in Wittmann, they have limits. While AFMA has some
training, they do not have a team dedicated to hazardous materials
spills.
Let’s be real. Accidents happen. Trains derail. Substances can leak.
What happens to our friends and neighbors when the inevitable
happens?
We don’t want to be the next East Palestine, Ohio where a 2023
derailment dumped 100,000 gallons of hazardous materials, including
vinyl chloride, benzene residue, and butyl acrylate.
We have not seen any comprehensive plan from BNSF if the worst
happens. Have they shared any plans with you? With anyone? It’s
unconscionable if not.
Again, there is a reason APS built the Palo Verde Nuclear power plant
miles away from any homes. Shouldn’t that same logic apply to a rail
hub that moves massive amounts of hazardous materials?
Please share our concerns with your fellow Maricopa County
supervisors. Please demand answers from BNSF. This is literally a
matter of life and death.

Please keep this project from not only destroying our quality of life
but also from endangering the lives of all who call Wittmann home.
 
Sincerely,
Laura Deaver
Lisa Everett
Kirby Anderson

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From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Fri 6/6/2025 2:41 PM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Contact Us - District 4
Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Debbie Lujan
Email
Adlujan@yahoo.com
Phone
6023168647
Address / City / State / Zip
24769 N 172nd Ave;Surprise AZ 85387
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
This is in regards to BNSF railroad intermodal. I am
COMPLETELY AGAINST this facility being built. We have lived
in Surprise for 25 years. We have seen it grow and appreciate
that all things change but this is alarming to say the least and
so disappointing that it has even been considered. The traffic
on Grand and 163rd is impossible now. The amount of semi
trucks on Grand now is extremely dangerous. Add more of
them and cars will never stand a chance. We will be confined to
our homes because it will be too dangerous to drive anywhere
from our neighborhoods. I can not even imagine all the extra
pollution from the trucks and trains. Most certainly our health
will suffer. It has been well documented the health problems
that these intermodal facilities cause from both the trains and
the trucks. And not to forget the noise pollution. I read that
BNSF feels that this will cause there to be decrease of trucks
on the road by building this, but for who? Certainly not for us
that live in Surprise.
This will in-fact ruin our communities of the northwest valley!!
There is no way around this fact.
There is plenty of open spaces that are not near communities
that would be much more suited for this type of place. It does

not belong here. If this is the future of our area we will be
forced to leave the place we have called home for 25 years.
Please do not let this happen.
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RE: Opposition to BNSF Intermodal Park
From District 1 <District1@maricopa.gov>
Date Mon 6/9/2025 12:30 PM
To
Debbie Rinker <debbie1oils@gmail.com>
Cc
Joel Landis (PND) <Joel.Landis@maricopa.gov>
Hello Debbie,
Thank you for contacting Supervisor Stewart’s office.
I have shared your concerns with him.
Additionally, I have copied Joel Landis from our Planning and Development department, who can answer the more technical questions.
Best regards,
Kristy Dohnel
Executive Communications & Outreach Manager
Board of Supervisors - District 1
301 W. Jefferson St. 10th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003
O: 602-506-1776
E: [Andres.Martin@Maricopa.gov]kristy.dohnel@maricopa.gov
Subscribe to District 1 Newsletter!
[ Maricopa.Gov ]
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From: Debbie Rinker <debbie1oils@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 4:56 PM
Subject: OpposiƟon to BNSF Intermodal Park
My husband and I were at the BNSF meeting several weeks ago at Nadaburg High School and once again we were unable to get questions answered, ….no surprise there. Once again, there was no open conversation, where back and forth questions and
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My husband and I were at the BNSF meeting several weeks ago at Nadaburg High School and once again we
were unable to get questions answered, ….no surprise there. Once again, there was no open conversation, where
back and forth questions and answers could be addressed, they just read one line questions off cards with a
single answer and no opportunity for follow up questions or clarification.
I did go back to get a screen shot of the “trips” estimated from their presentation and am sending it along, the
numbers don’t add up, so that leads us to believe none of them are correct…. And what exactly does a “trip”
consist of? Is that x 2, with one truck coming in and then leaving? The second lady who spoke later did say 1,592
trucks by 2028 and someone said “times 2” and she acknowledged that.
Notice how quickly the numbers jump in the first 5 years, how convenient to show a 5 year span instead of yearly!
And how are they going to employ 50,000 people, how are they getting to work? And nothing was addressed
about any trucks heading through Wickenburg.
How is this going to be voted on in August when the supposed ”studies” they having done won’t be completed by
then. Besides all the noise, rumblings, lights of this huge 24/7 operation, we also have the worry of hazardous
material spills and fires, as the last one in Wickenburg was caused by them just last year, not to mention the
ground water issues. This needs to be out in a more remote location.
Debbie and cDaniel Rinker, Circle City, Morristown

Sent from my iPhone

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From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Mon 8/18/2025 9:01 PM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Contact Us - District 4
Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Debbie Rinker
Email
debbie1oils@gmail.com
Phone
9282329958
Address / City / State / Zip
180 Peretz, Morristown, AZ 85342
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
Dear Rep. Lesko,
We thank you for your interest in the pending BNSF
monstrosity wanting to invade our neighborhoods!
We live in Circle City, in Morristown Az, and live 2 blocks off
Grand Ave, at 180 Peretz Circle, and are forever Republicans.
According to their proposed plan, the entrance to Circle City is
directly across the highway from the huge set of tracks in which
they will be loading and unloading from all day, 24-7. The noise,
screeching, and rumbling of the ground, not to mention the tall
industrial lighting, pollution and possible toxins that will ruin our
quiet neighborhood and destroy our quality of life.
I understand they have an environmental study “in progress” as
the saying goes. That could take far too long to come in, but it
is just one of the many negatives that it will bring to our area
that I am sure you are aware of and no need to rehash here, I
wanted to let you know that we are strongly opposed to it and
to again thank you for your support of our protest.
Blessings,
Dan and Debbie Rinker
180 Peretz Circle
Morristown, AZ 85342

PS. I went to mail this to the address you gave of
www.maricopa.gov/DebbieLesko but it would not go through.
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Opposition to Proposed BNSF Intermodal Facility
From Deb Knapp <debknapp928@gmail.com>
Date Mon 5/19/2025 2:36 PM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Dear Supervisor Lesko:
I live at 211th and Galvin Street in WiƩmann, AZ, an area surrounded by the proposed
construcƟon of a BNSF Railway Intermodal Hub, which I urge you to oppose.
If approved by Maricopa County, it will be the largest BNSF Hub in the naƟon and will
most certainly have a massive impact on the established communiƟes of WiƩmann, Sun
City West, Sun City, Surprise, The Grand, Corta Bella, Peoria, Wickenburg, Morristown,
and other surrounding West Valley communiƟes. It will cost in excess of $3 Billion dollars.
BNSF has purchased 4,400 acres of State Trust land surrounding the community of
WiƩmann on the west, north and south sides. This land is currently zoned RU43, rural
residenƟal, NOT commercial or industrial. Maricopa County must approve a zoning
change in order for BNSF to proceed.
The proposed hub is esƟmated to cover 4,312 acres with 18 million square feet of
concrete poured for storage and maintenance faciliƟes. Within 2.5 years, it will generate
an addiƟonal 7200+ vehicles per day on our roads and highways and will generate an
addiƟonal 22,000 vehicles per day by 2038. If approved, construcƟon will begin this year.
Concerns:
1. Inadequate and poorly maintained roads surround the proposed facility. The main
roadway servicing the WiƩmann area is US Route 60 which runs through the enƟrety of
the Valley of the Sun and the West Valley communiƟes of Wickenburg, Morristown,
WiƩmann, Sun City West, Surprise, Sun City, The Grand, El Mirage, and Peoria. All of
these communiƟes will be adversely affected by the proposed facility.
Traffic concerns for impacted communiƟes include increased congesƟon due to the
projected addiƟonal 7,200+ vehicles per day by end of 2028 and 22,000+ vehicles per day
by year 2038 in a facility operaƟng on a 24/7 basis. In addiƟon, BNSF has projected
76,000 new jobs will be created just for this facility. How will our roads accommodate
such growth?
There is already a heavy flow of heavy construcƟon trucks and semis traveling on 211th
causing broken asphalt and potholes. Maricopa County does not adequately maintain this

road even at this Ɵme. BNSF is proposing that trucks from the facility will be using 211th
to access State Route 74.
Trains traveling along the Route 60 corridor already wreak havoc with automobiles
aƩempƟng to cross tracks with backups onto Route 60 as well as arterial roads. Trains
restrict access to hospitals with no alternaƟve routes.
The nearest interstate highways (I-10 and I-17) are each more than 30 miles from the
proposed facility. Trucks uƟlizing the proposed facility will rely on US Route 60 and
Arizona State Route 74 (a 2-lane road with some passing lanes connecƟng Route 60 and I-
17).
Do not forget the June 2024 Rose Fire near Wickenburg caused by BNSF maintenance
which burned 266 acres before it was contained. The fire destroyed 15 structures,
including 7 primary residences, before being declared 100% contained. The fire was
triggered by railroad maintenance operaƟons, specifically sparks from hot work or the
use of a welder, grinder, or torch. Air quality in the area was negaƟvely impacted. It also
forced the closure of the highway in both direcƟons outside of Wickenburg.
2. Groundwater contaminaƟon from diesel and chemical spills is a disƟnct possibility in an
area where residents rely on well water for domesƟc use. Apparently, BNSF does not have
a developed plan to deal with catastrophes in the West Valley. ExisƟng roads running
throughout the enƟrety of the West Valley may be inadequate to facilitate an ordered
MASS EVACUATION due to a HAZARDOUS MATERIAL spill. Recall the EAST PALESTINE,
OHIO, incident in 2023? AddiƟonally, blocked emergency access to nearby hospitals just
off of Highway 60 may become life-threatening situaƟons.
3. Flood control measures will need to be addressed given the 18,000,000 square feet of
concrete that will be poured in construcƟon of the project. This will alter the flow of
water (heading toward the Hassayampa River) during the monsoon season.
4. The Air Quality Index (polluƟon) in the enƟre Valley of the Sun will conƟnue to degrade
even more rapidly with smog generated by the addiƟonal thousands of wheeled vehicles
and locomoƟves. Day aŌer day our air quality is currently in the unhealthy range.
5. Proximity to Nadaburg Elementary School raises concerns about the health and safety
of school children immediately adjacent to the facility. Increased traffic, contaminated
groundwater, noise polluƟon, and increased air pollutants (carbon parƟculates and other
toxic pollutants) will all have an adverse effect on our children. The proposed 22 acre
wastewater treatment facility is less than ½ mile of the elementary school and directly
across 211th from one of our neighbors.
6. DegradaƟon to quality of life for all residents in the affected area. 60' high warehouses
will obstruct mountain views to the north. Air polluƟon from trains and trucks will affect
respiratory systems. Groundwater contaminaƟon will infiltrate our wells. Noise polluƟon
will negaƟvely impact our rural lifestyle and have unknown effect on our livestock as well

as naƟve wildlife and vegetaƟon. Light polluƟon from the 24/7 facility will obscure our
night skies. Our ground will rumble and quake from switching train cars and containers.
It is negligent on the part of Maricopa County to not challenge BNSF's plans to
contaminate our land, water and air. Dark Skies, natural vegetaƟon and wildlife must be
protected and preserved. There are beƩer locaƟons where this facility could be built that
will have much less impact on far fewer ciƟzens.
Deborah Knapp
debknapp928@gmail.com
21226 W Galvin St.
WiƩmann AZ 85361

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Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - District 4
From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Sat 7/5/2025 7:35 PM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Contact Us - District 4
Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Deborah Parris
Email
dparris@q.com
Phone
6023018124
Address / City / State / Zip
23047 W Sierra Ridge Way, Wittmann AZ 85361
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I would like to voice my opposition to the BNSF intermodal and
logistics facility planned for Wittmann, AZ and ask that you do
not approve of their requested change of zoning. I have
attended several meetings that BNSF has held in our
community and politely listened to their presentations and plans
for the area. The more meetings I attended, the more I feel this
would be a grave mistake to allow them to build this intermodal
facility here.
You are certainly aware that Wittmann is a rural community of
people who wanted to get away from the city. Families
sacrificed to buy land here where they could have a life for their
family that included open space, farm animals, natural gardens,
and decreased night light to enjoy the stars and night sky.
Little by little, this lifestyle is being whittled away, mainly by
your past approval of sprawling development. We have
fruitlessly fought against these densely populated communities
here and resist annexation by nearby cities. It is an uphill battle
we seem to be losing to money hungry developers and cities
that have set their sites on expanding all the way to
Wickenburg.

Listed below are reasons for my opposition:
First, the facility is to be located, according to the maps
available by BNSF (see attachment), in very close proximity to
our elementary school and school district office. The water
treatment pond is extremely close to the school, posing
dangerous chemical hazards and exposure. As shown by the
train incident in East Palestine, Ohio, toxic chemicals and
gases spilled or leaked cause respiratory damage and burns.
This is permanent for children and will affect them the rest of
their lives. These chemicals and gases are not only carried by
the train, but the chemicals used to treat their holding ponds of
water are too close to homes and the school, and pose
imminent danger, especially to vulnerable children. I cannot
fathom how this facility could even be considered so close to
our future leaders, our children. You will be able to stand at the
door to the school and see the buildings, trains, trucks,
warehouses, and water treatment. This is utterly ridiculous.
The school has been at this location since 1920, over 125
years! Obviously, the train was here before that time, but did
not have the frequency as exists now. The school children
already have exposure to the trains’ high decibel level as it
goes through Wittmann, which is frequent, and teachers have
to adapt their teaching to pause for the noise. When outdoors
on the playground, the decibels are high. It is unimaginable
how many more harmful decibels will be created by added
trains, semis, crane movement, etc. as part of the intermodal
activities.
There are massive concerns about how water will be dealt with.
Last year, the governor indicated the aquifer where Wittmann is
located, is part of one that is declining, and put a halt to new
growth unless another method of water besides ground water is
used. BNSF announced at their meetings that they intend to
drill for a ground water well for the water they need to operate. I
attended the Maricopa Board of Supervisors meeting where
after hearing our concerns went ahead and granted approval
for a developer to start building denser housing than our R-43,
but told them they would have to obtain water from another
source than ground water. Why would BNSF be allowed to do
this against the governor’s directives? They will have the
monetary capacity to drill very deeply, while most of the people
in Wittmann have 600 foot deep wells. It is not hard to imagine
the community experiencing dried up wells, while the train
operations will have mostly all they want.
Need we talk about the traffic? US 60 is already a nightmare.
BNSF will blow that roadway up. They estimated by 2050 they
would add 6,000 semi trucks round trip on the US 60 daily. As it
is today without BNSF, we have to factor 2 hours to get to
downtown Phoenix. My husband and I have several specialists

that are in Phoenix, and it makes it an all day affair to go to and
from these offices. AZDOT is aware of how terrible the traffic
and accidents are on US 60 with 163rd and Loop 303. Any
fixes done so far have been ineffective band aids to an
enormous problem. Adding BNSF traffic, will push it over the
top. It is unthinkable.
As mentioned earlier, people moved here to get away from light
pollution. With a nearly 4,500 acre with 24 hour per day
operation, BNSF will have to add lighting that is sure to
interfere with the community. Personally, this is one reason I
moved here, as I have difficulty sleeping unless it is completely
dark. This may not seem to be a big deal to a city dweller, but it
is critical to us and our animals.
Speaking of animals, the native wild animals will suffer with the
BNSF plan. We have some very fragile populations of animals
that will not be able to coexist with the facility planned. Where
are they to go? It seems like endangered animals always take
a backseat to development of housing and business. Thorough
studies must be done to ensure this does not interfere with
these important populations.
Wittmann experiences much less crime than do the cities
surrounding and including Phoenix. That will change if BNSF is
allowed to build its facility here. Our biggest problem currently
is meth. Large lit facilities usually draw out people at night, so a
significant uptick in crime is highly likely to happen. Again, we
moved away from the city to get away from the crime. The
intermodal facility will bring it right to our doorsteps.
BNSF likes to tout the benefit of the intermodal facility by
promoting how many jobs it will create. Anyone knows BNSF
will NOT employ people who live in Wittmann. Only people who
work for the train or are related to train employees will ever
obtain a job with them. The construction jobs will be done by
established companies who already have their crews, at most it
may be a handful of jobs that are temporary. The job scene for
Wittmann is plainly a false argument, it won’t happen.
Which brings me to the point that bothers me the most. The
cities in the area do not want the intermodal facility in their
locales. Look what the current intermodal facility in Glendale
did to that community. It is trashed and will likely never make a
comeback. I sense that decision makers feel that the town of
Wittmann is trash, think of its residents as trash, and are willing
to make it more trashed by adding this facility that no one
wants. Dump it on Wittmann. How unfair to the poor people
who live here. There is a tremendous amount of vacant land
closer to where the planned I-11 is to be located. It should be
considered rather than this spot in Wittmann.

The city of Surprise keeps telling Wittmann that they will not
annex Wittmann unless we want to be annexed (we don’t).
However, BNSF said at the meetings that Surprise will help
them with their waste water, as have several developers. How
does that happen without annexation? Surprise sees a jewel in
the desert in BNSF, as a cash cow for taxes. Wittmann will
have to put up with the facility, but will not benefit from its tax
base or in any other way. It is merely negatives for us.
Please, Maricopa County, think of your rural communities
before making these decisions. Once made, there is no going
back. Our lives will be ruined because it is all about the money,
not about children, pollution, water, animals, and people. Don’t
make Wittmann the BNSF trash bin.
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Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - District 4
From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Tue 8/12/2025 2:38 PM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Contact Us - District 4
Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Debra Larson
Email
Debndave99@aol.com
Phone
2537408084
Address / City / State / Zip
22603 N Acapulco Dr
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I am not in favor of the BSNF railway project.
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StopBNSF project
From Dee White <deewhite1261@gmail.com>
Date Sun 6/8/2025 10:40 AM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Stop BNSF project. It will make route 60 even worse. It will change ghee quality of life for every person
and animal. Please listen to the residents that have .ade a life here. To close to existing homes.

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Fw: BNSF
From Debra Lesko <Debbie.Lesko@maricopa.gov>
Date Fri 5/30/2025 10:52 AM
To
Bill Leal (DOT) <Bill.Leal@Maricopa.Gov>
Please send my BNSF response, forward to P&D, add to newsleƩer.
Debbie
From: Denise Angelone
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 11:02 AM
To: Debra Lesko
Subject: BNSF
Debbie Lesko,
As a ten year resident of Maricopa County, I am opposed to the BNSF facility proposal.
Please listen to concerns regarding additional traffic, noise and air pollution, water contamination,
crime and other negative effects to surrounding cities.
Be an advocate of the residents and not an advocate for the financial greed over the health concerns
of the residents!
Sincerely,
Denise Angelone

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Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - District 4
From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Sun 8/17/2025 8:09 PM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Contact Us - District 4
Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Denise Baumbach Singer
Email
DeniseBaumbach@sbcglobal.net
Phone
9168034800
Address / City / State / Zip
22111 N Giovota Dr, Sun City West , AZ
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I respectfully request the denial of BNS request to industrialize
the community of Whitman, to include a 1,770-acre Intermodal
facility, a 1,420-acre Logistics Park with warehouses, a 1,109-
acre Logistics Center and a 22-acre Wastewater Treatment
facility.
Over the years, Surprise grew from its humble beginnings into
one of Arizona's most vibrant cities, thanks to new housing
developments and amenities that attracted families and retirees
alike. In addition the iconic Surprise Stadium attracts thousands
of tourists for spring training which compliments the region.
Between the well-planned neighborhoods, reasonable cost of
living, booming real estate market, and abundant recreational
opportunities, Surprise offers a high quality of life for families,
retirees, and young professionals alike.
BNS plans are a black eye to the region. Industrializing near
beautifully planned communities is counter to promoting quality
of life. It disrespects the people who have committed to and
built up what the region is today. This project does not

complement the current designs for the region and should not
be supported, Industrial noise, unsightly warehouses, traffic
upon traffic , rail yards are community killers and devalue the
property . If a business cannot provide value or uplift the
community it should be pushed out. Find another location.
Thank you. I know you will do what’s right to represent the
people.
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Online Form Submittal: Contact Us - District 4
From noreply@civicplus.com <noreply@civicplus.com>
Date Wed 5/28/2025 9:43 AM
To
District4 <District4@maricopa.gov>
Contact Us - District 4
Your Information
Please provide contact information in case we have any questions or need
additional information from you regarding your inquiry.
First and Last Name
Denise Theisen
Email
dtheisen0810@gmail.com
Phone
262-308-0226
Address / City / State / Zip
14515 W. Panther Dr. Sun City West, AZ 85375
Please leave your comments
or questions below:
I am contacting you regarding the concern I have about the
planned BNSF Distribution in Wittman.
Having a facility of this size in the West Valley is problematic for
many reasons. The increase in traffic on Hwy 60 and 303 will
be tremendous. The impact to the natural resources in this area
is too large to ignore. There is not enough water to support the
facility. The natural desert area will be negatively disrupted. The
increase in train traffic up and down the Grand Ave corridor will
impact everyone. There will be more trains will more cars
attached which will be a huge problem. The people in this
community do NOT want something like this built.
Please vote against this project. The costs are too detrimental
to our area.
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