Granite County residents press commissioners over airport beacon; panel votes to keep it off except for a notified test

Granite County commissioners heard more than an hour of public comment on a newly installed rotating airport beacon, with residents urging limits on nighttime operation and airport staff pointing to Federal Aviation Administration guidance.

Residents who live near the airfield described repeated runs of bright LED light that wash across hillsides and bedrooms and urged options such as pilot-activated lighting, shielding, limited hours, or public testing. "I don't wanna see that flashing light going 24 7," said an unidentified resident during public comment. Others emphasized safety for medical flights but asked that activation be targeted, not continuous.

The airport manager, who spoke during the public-comment period, said the FAA treats a beacon differently from pilot-activated runway lights and that, for a lighted runway, the beacon is typically operated from sunset to sunrise. He said pilot-control for runway lights is a different function and that the county had replaced an existing beacon rather than installing a wholly new system.

Commissioners debated the tradeoffs between emergency-medical access and community character. After hearing public concerns and technical clarifications, a commissioner moved to "leave the light off except for the testing day that we will notify the public," with a request that the test be posted in advance; another commissioner seconded the motion. The motion was carried by voice vote.

Commissioners and staff agreed to schedule a publicly noticed test night so neighbors can see the adjusted beam and evaluate any further mitigation. Staff also committed to post related documents and meeting minutes on the county website and to have the airport board and FAA guidance details available at an upcoming board meeting.

Practical details remain to be resolved: residents asked for a plain-language flyer explaining when and how the beacon will be used, and asked about grant funding tied to the installation. During the meeting staff reported the installation was tied to grant funding; when asked about the amount, staff cited a figure of $65,000. Commissioners said further study and a follow-up public meeting or airport-board meeting will be scheduled to weigh long-term operating policy and any necessary FAA coordination.

The commission moved on to routine business after the vote; follow-up items on the airport beacon and related documentation were placed on the board and airport‑board agendas for subsequent sessions.