The community of Wittman along the U.S. 60 near Surprise is seeking incorporated status.
The move comes as the BNSF Railway has plans for the nation’s largest rail hub close by.
The proposed $3.2 billion hub would be about 4,300 acres and surround Wittman. BNSF is seeking approval from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Residents oppose the effort, saying the hub would lead to overconsumption of water and create massive amounts of air pollution.
The LLC Keep us Rural is starting the petition signature gathering process to incorporate the community.
Wittmann resident Kirby Anderson says the move would let the community govern itself locally.
“We don't want to have the big industrial complexes come out here and running over the citizens. It's about the locals voting for local policies, voting for how they control the future of their area," Anderson said.
Once the initial paperwork is filed, the group will have 180 days to gather 800 signatures for the process to move forward.
