WITTMANN, AZ (AZFamily) — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to reject a zoning change to create a BNSF rail hub near Wittmann that supporters said would have brought strong economic development to the far northwest Valley.

Had it been approved, Wednesday’s vote would have had the land use designation changed from “single-family rural” to “mixed-use employment” to allow the country’s largest freight railroad operator to build north of the U.S. 60 between 211th Avenue and 235th Avenue.

Opponents said the plans would make the facility the largest intermodal facility in the nation and would move hazardous materials through the region. In addition, opponents of the project raised concerns about increased crime, traffic, noise, and air pollution, which they claimed

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