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Approving the application of Minny Festivals LLC for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for Minnesota Yacht Club event on Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd - Harriet Island Park.
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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, section 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 on the community; and
WHEREAS, Minny Festivals, LLC ("Applicant"), represented by Adam Shiland, Festival Director, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance for a sound level limit of 110 decibels (dBA) at 100 feet from the sound source, to present amplified sound at 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd - Harriet Island Park; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 9:00 am to 10:30 pm on Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, with a pre-event sound check from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2026, for the Minnesota Yacht Club event; and
WHEREAS, if the Applicant is not granted a variance, then the Applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd - Harriet Island Park; 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 Minny Festivals LLC subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 9:00 am to 10:30 pm on Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026, with a pre-event sound check not to exceed six (6) hours between the hours of 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2026, for the Minnesota Yacht Club event.
2) All electronically powered equipment shall not exceed 80 dBA as measured at 50 feet during the pre-event sound check of up to six (6) hours between the hours of 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
3) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 100 dBA as measured at 75 feet from the sound source at Stage One and 92 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound source at Stage Two from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm on Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026.
4) 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 and within 30 days thereafter. The Applicant shall also conduct a decibel reading during the variance upon request of city staff.
5) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers, or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 8:59 pm on Thursday, July 16, and 10:29 pm on Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on Thursday, July 16, Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026, the event dates, may result in the revocation or modification of this variance, the denial of future applications for a variance, and/or the issue of any criminal citation.
Required Background Information
Minny Festivals LLC, represented by Adam Shiland, Festival Director, has requested a variance from the sound level limitations in section 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm on Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026. Section 293.10 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in section 293.07.
Was proper notice given? YES - See Attachments