Title
Approving the application of JR Mac’s for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the St Patrick’s Day Tent event on March 15, 2025 and March 17, 2025 at 1420 7th Street West - JR Mac’s.
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, §293.09 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 on the community; and
WHEREAS, JR Mac’s, represented by Dan McQuillan, President, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, at no specified sound level at no specified distance from the sound source, to present amplified sound at 1420 7th St W - JR Mac’s; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Saturday March 15, 2025, and from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Monday March 17, 2025, with pre-event sound checks starting at 3:00 p.m. on both days for a St Patrick’s Day Tent event; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 1420 7th St W - JR Mac’s; 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 JR Mac’s subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday March 15, 2025, and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday March 17, 2025, with pre-event sound checks starting at 3:00 p.m. on both days.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 90 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound sources outside of the fully enclosed tent from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. On Monday, March 17, 2025, all electronically power equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 90 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound sources outside of the fully enclosed tent from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
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 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. 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. March 15, 2025, and 10:00 p.m. March 17, 2025.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the March 15, 2025 and March 17, 2025 dates may result in denial of future requests for the grant of a noise variance, in addition to any criminal citation which might issue.
Required Background Information
JR Mac’s, represented by Dan McQuillan, President, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday March 15, 2025, and 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday March 17, 2025. 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