Planning commissioners recommend Peterson Pipeline wellhouse CUP after debate over generator noise
June 25, 2026 | Morgan County, Utah
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On June 25, 2026, the Morgan County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for Peterson Pipeline to reactivate a nonoperational well and construct a small wellhouse at 4150 Mahogany Drive.
Staff told commissioners the project sits on a 1.75-acre parcel and would include a wellhouse, a 5-by-7-foot concrete pad for a transformer, an 11-by-6-foot pad for a generator, and a 1,000-gallon propane tank. The parcel is accessed from an existing dirt road off Mahogany Drive, and staff said a floodplain permit has been reviewed by the county engineer.
Planner: Brinley Savage introduced the administrative item and said staff found the proposed use compatible with the A20 zoning district and recommended approval with the findings and conditions in the staff report. Staff also reported the existing well is roughly 250 feet from the nearest residence.
Applicant: Matthew Hermes of Sunrise Engineering, speaking for the applicant, said the contract documents require a generator rated at 75 decibels at 7 meters and that the contractor will supply a sound‑dampening shroud to meet that spec. "That 75 dB at 7 meters was in the contract documents and in the specs," Hermes said.
Noise and enforcement: Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on how the county enforces noise complaints. Staff explained the county nuisance code lacks a specific decibel standard and enforcement is complaint-driven; decibel measurements are typically taken at the complainant’s property line so officers do not have to enter private property to investigate. Staff also said the generator is expected to be exercised for maintenance a few hours every two to three months and otherwise run only for emergencies.
Decision: Member King moved to recommend approval based on staff findings; Member Watt seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will go to the county commission for final action. Commissioners also discussed asking staff to explore explicit decibel language in the nuisance ordinance to clarify enforcement and measurement location.
Clarifying details: The staff report described the proposed facility as a C3-level CUP for a public facility, listed the generator rating (75 dB at 7 meters in contract specs), and noted the nearest dwelling is about 250 feet from the wellhead. Staff recommended conditions in the packet and noted a floodplain permit and county engineer review had been completed.
Ending: With the Peterson Pipeline item completed, commissioners moved on to a plat amendment and a legislative code amendment later in the meeting.
Staff told commissioners the project sits on a 1.75-acre parcel and would include a wellhouse, a 5-by-7-foot concrete pad for a transformer, an 11-by-6-foot pad for a generator, and a 1,000-gallon propane tank. The parcel is accessed from an existing dirt road off Mahogany Drive, and staff said a floodplain permit has been reviewed by the county engineer.
Planner: Brinley Savage introduced the administrative item and said staff found the proposed use compatible with the A20 zoning district and recommended approval with the findings and conditions in the staff report. Staff also reported the existing well is roughly 250 feet from the nearest residence.
Applicant: Matthew Hermes of Sunrise Engineering, speaking for the applicant, said the contract documents require a generator rated at 75 decibels at 7 meters and that the contractor will supply a sound‑dampening shroud to meet that spec. "That 75 dB at 7 meters was in the contract documents and in the specs," Hermes said.
Noise and enforcement: Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on how the county enforces noise complaints. Staff explained the county nuisance code lacks a specific decibel standard and enforcement is complaint-driven; decibel measurements are typically taken at the complainant’s property line so officers do not have to enter private property to investigate. Staff also said the generator is expected to be exercised for maintenance a few hours every two to three months and otherwise run only for emergencies.
Decision: Member King moved to recommend approval based on staff findings; Member Watt seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
What happens next: The commission’s recommendation will go to the county commission for final action. Commissioners also discussed asking staff to explore explicit decibel language in the nuisance ordinance to clarify enforcement and measurement location.
Clarifying details: The staff report described the proposed facility as a C3-level CUP for a public facility, listed the generator rating (75 dB at 7 meters in contract specs), and noted the nearest dwelling is about 250 feet from the wellhead. Staff recommended conditions in the packet and noted a floodplain permit and county engineer review had been completed.
Ending: With the Peterson Pipeline item completed, commissioners moved on to a plat amendment and a legislative code amendment later in the meeting.
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