Title
Approving the application of Rondo Community Coalition for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at 820 Rondo Ave - Rondo Commemorative Plaza.
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, the Rondo Community Coalition, represented by Ronald Buford, Site Coordinator, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, for a sound level limit of 100 dBA at no specific distance, to present amplified sound for a Rondo Block Party event on August 2, 2025, at 820 Rondo Ave - Rondo Commemorative Plaza; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check from 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 2, 2025 for a Rondo Block Party event; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 820 Rondo Ave - Rondo Commemorative Plaza; 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 the Rondo Community Coalition, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check from 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, for a Rondo Block Party event.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 92 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.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 6:00 p.m. on August 2, 2025, the event date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on August 2, 2025 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
Rondo Community Coalition, represented by Ronald Buford, Site Coordinator, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound for a Rondo Block Party event on August 2, 2025, with limitations, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 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