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blackjack
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Posted: Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 09:10 pm |
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From Matt's article:
Still, residents cite numerous concerns, including lack of potential buffer zones, rail yard safety, possible transit of hazardous materials, increased crime and the yard’s proximity to Nadaburg Elementary School. The proposed industrial complex sits less than 2,500 feet from the school.
“That number boggles my mind,” Ms. Dodgen said.
Residents also question whether the average salary of those 6,000 jobs will approach $50,000, as railroad leaders indicated.
“It seems like a fairy tale to me,” Ms. Dodgen explained.
Surprise resident Lloyd Brewer believes the rail yard will bring multiple problems.
“Traffic along Grand is going to really be negatively impacted,” he said. “And what about the fumes? I’m honestly worried about this.”
BNSF officials estimate nearly 10,000 truck trips per day to and from the facility.
Ms. Dodgen said her greatest concern is diesel fumes.
“There are more than 40 toxic chemicals in these fumes,” she explained. “The impact this will have on the Northwest Valley is beyond my comprehension.”
Kind of sounds like some of the concerns people express everytime the oil companies considered building a new refinery. Maybe we should just call a complete stop to progress of any kind because there are always going to be people who can find a reason to object to anything. I say if people are so concerned about the school then move it to another location. And if we continue to object to progress it won't be long before we won't have to worry about diesel fumes because there will be no need for the trucks.
Last edited on Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 09:20 pm by blackjack
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Surprise News Editor
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Posted: Tue Apr 22nd, 2008 08:27 pm |
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By Matt Loeschman
Independent Newspapers
Residents are uniting against a proposed Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail yard along Grand Avenue northwest of Surprise.
During a public meeting April 15, about 60 people from various Northwest Valley communities gathered at the Palm Ridge Recreation Center in Sun City West to discuss how to fight the construction of the project.
“What is important to remember is this is not yet a done deal,” resident Gary Bosak noted in his introductory remarks. “We are getting in on the ground floor when hopefully something can still be done. This project will affect all the communities along the Grand Avenue corridor.”
The meeting was organized by a group calling themselves the Northwest Valley Concerned Citizens. Before discussion began on the proposed rail yard, Mr. Bosak polled the crowd to see where they resided. While most in the crowd were from Sun City West, there was a strong contingent from Sun City Grand and other parts of Surprise. Others indicated they lived in both Wittmann and Sun City.
PORA President Larry Woods continued the meeting by providing background on the project. He also indicated it is difficult to get straight answers from BNSF representatives.
“It’s like they are not telling us what is going on,” he said. “Much like the quiet zone situation, this has become extremely frustrating.”
Calls to BNSF officials were not returned last week.
The controversy over the project dates back at least one year, when the railroad company’s intentions became public. In October 2007, Surprise City Council approved a major general plan amendment, paving the way for the project to continue.
The BNSF railway owns 723 acres near Grand Avenue and Dove Valley Road in the unincorporated Wittmann, which is part of Surprise’s general planning area. BNSF plans to construct a large industrial center there, said BNSF representative LaTonya Finch, that would likely eventually be annexed into Surprise.
She said that a rail yard would take up 130 acres closest to the existing BNSF tracks, surrounded by a 200 acre automotive facility that in 10 years would be moved from its current El Mirage location to the new facility.
Additionally, a 385-acre layer of warehouses would be located next to the automotive facility.
Ms. Finch said that there would be no off-loading or storing of hazardous materials on the 723 acres.
Those at last week’s meeting do not believe that statement.
“I just don’t see how that is possible,” Wittmann resident Jan Dodgen said. “Plus, the diesel fumes being spewed out by the trucks and heavy machinery can certainly be considered toxic.”
The railroad company believes the facility would have positive affects on Surprise’s job growth. They estimate the complex could bring as many as 6,000 jobs to the area.
Still, residents cite numerous concerns, including lack of potential buffer zones, rail yard safety, possible transit of hazardous materials, increased crime and the yard’s proximity to Nadaburg Elementary School. The proposed industrial complex sits less than 2,500 feet from the school.
“That number boggles my mind,” Ms. Dodgen said.
Residents also question whether the average salary of those 6,000 jobs will approach $50,000, as railroad leaders indicated.
“It seems like a fairy tale to me,” Ms. Dodgen explained.
Surprise resident Lloyd Brewer believes the rail yard will bring multiple problems.
“Traffic along Grand is going to really be negatively impacted,” he said. “And what about the fumes? I’m honestly worried about this.”
BNSF officials estimate nearly 10,000 truck trips per day to and from the facility.
Ms. Dodgen said her greatest concern is diesel fumes.
“There are more than 40 toxic chemicals in these fumes,” she explained. “The impact this will have on the Northwest Valley is beyond my comprehension.”
Wittmann resident Sue Dolphin outlined Senate Bill 2156, designed to make railroad companies more accountable for their actions when building facilities such as the rail yard.
“This is not the strongest bill ever written,” she admitted. “But it is a start. We can’t seem to get direct information from the company.”
A question and answer session followed, with residents asking what will be stored at the facility and whether other locations were considered. Some residents said they may seek legal recourse in the future.
Mr. Bosak concluded by informing residents that the forum was for informational purposes and more meetings will be planned in the future.
“We still have time to fight,” he said.
Post your opinions in the Public Issues forums at http://www.newszap.com. News Editor Matt Loeschman can be reached at 623-445-2871 or mloeschman@newszap.com.
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