BNSF, Texas town reach agreement on new logistics facility

GUNTER, Texas — BNSF Railway and the city of Gunter, Texas, have reached agreement on a plan to allow the railroad to develop a 900-acre business park north of the small town in the southwestern part of the state.

KTEN-TV reports the agreement requires a buffer zone of 500 to 800 feet from existing residences, and limits on the type of lighting and sound levels, according to Mayor Karen Souther. The city council approved the deal at a meeting last week.

“We appreciate the feedback shared by Gunter residents throughout this process and value the collaborative efforts with the city to refine the project design,” BNSF said in a statement to Trains News Wire. “We’re proud to support the area’s economic development and look forward to continuing our partnership with the city and being a positive presence in the community.”

BNSF announced plans for the North Dallas Logistics Center in mid-2023, but withdrew its initial rezoning application for the project that July in the face of local opposition. [See “BNSF puts plans … on hold,” Trains News Wire, July 28, 2023]. It subsequently filed suit against the city of about 2,000 the following year, after Gunter’s  council returned down the railroad’s zoning request.

The city first announced it had an agreement with BNSF in February of this year that added numerous restrictions to the development, saying in a press release that it had “negotiated a deal that balances development with our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Gunter’s residents.” The city said it had executed that agreement in April, although amendments were still under construction, and that approval of the zoning changes would bring an end to the BNSF lawsuit.

Gunter is about 60 miles north of downtown Dallas on BNSF’s Madill Subdivision.