Title
Approving the application of Salvation Army Northern Division for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Annual “Tree of Lights” Light Program in Rice Park starting November 15, 2025, through January 6, 2026, at Rice Park--109 W 4th St.
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 293 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code was enacted to regulate the subject of noise in the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, § 293.10 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in § 293.07, upon a finding by the City Council that full compliance with Chapter 293 would constitute an unreasonable hardship on the applicant, other persons, or the community; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Furry, PR & Communications Director, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance for a requested sound level limit of 90 dBA measured at 50 ft to present amplified sound at Rice Park--109 W 4th St; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 4:30 p.m. only on Saturday, November 15, 2025, for the Annual “Tree of Lights” Light Program in Rice Park; and
WHEREAS, if the applicant is not granted a variance, the applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at Rice Park--109 W 4th St; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections has reviewed the application and has made recommendations regarding conditions for the variance. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby grants a variance to Salvation Army Northern Division, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 4:30 p.m. on November 15, 2025, through January 6, 2026, for the Annual “Tree of Lights” Light Program in Rice Park; and
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 90 dBA as measured at 50 feet from all sound sources.
3) The applicant shall monitor the decibel level from the variance approved distance of each noise source and create a report that records the general operating decibel levels within 15 minutes of the start of each performing act and at intervals no greater than 60 minutes apart thereafter. The report shall be made available for viewing by city staff upon request during the variance or within 30 days thereafter. The applicant shall also conduct a decibel reading during the variance upon request of city staff.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers, or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 10:00 p.m. starting November 15, 2025, through January 6, 2026, the event dates.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the event dates November 15, 2025, through January 6, 2026, may result in denial of future requests for the grant of a sound level variance, in addition to any criminal citation which might issue.
Required Background Information
Salvation Army Northern Division, represented by Daniel Furry, PR & Communications Director, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 4:30 p.m. on November 15, 2025, through January 6, 2026, for the Annual “Tree of Lights” Light Program in Rice Park. Chapter 293.09 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in Chapter 293.07.
Was proper notice given? YES - See Attachments