Title
Approving the application of MN Run Series/Podium Sports Marketing Inc. for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for the Turkey Trot Saint Paul on November 27, 2025, by Shepard Road between Washington Street and Sherman Street.
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, MN Run Series/Podium Sports Marketing Inc., represented by Skylar Swenson, Race Operations Manager, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance for a requested sound level limit of 85 dBA at no specified distance to present amplified sound on Shepard Road between Washington Street and Sherman Street; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a pre-event sound check at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025, for the Turkey Trot Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, if the applicant is not granted a variance, the applicant will not be able to present amplified sound on Shepard Road between Washington Street and Sherman Street; 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 MN Run Series/Podium Sports Marketing Inc., subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, 2025, with a pre-event sound check at 7:00 a.m.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 85 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 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 11:00 a.m. on November 27, 2025, the event date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the November 27, 2025, event date may result in denial of future requests for the grant of a noise variance, in addition to any criminal citation that might issue.
Required Background Information
MN Run Series/Podium Sports Marketing, Inc., represented by Skylar Swenson, Race Operations Manager, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, 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