Title
Approving five (5) applications of the Grand Avenue Business Association for sound level variances in order to present amplified sound for the Grand Old Day event on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 640 Grand Avenue, South of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Grotto Street S. and 791 Grand Avenue, 917 Grand Avenue, 1055 Grand Avenue, and 1549 Grand Avenue - Macalester College Parking Lot.
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, 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, Grand Avenue Business Association ("Applicant"), represented by Holly Weinkauf, President, 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 50 from the sound source to present amplified sound at 640 Grand Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for the Grand Old Day event; and
WHEREAS, Grand Avenue Business Association ("Applicant"), represented by Holly Weinkauf, President, 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 50 feet from the sound source to present amplified sound south of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Grotto Street S. and 791 Grand Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for the Grand Old Day event; and
WHEREAS, Grand Avenue Business Association ("Applicant"), represented by Holly Weinkauf, President, 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 50 feet from the sound source to present amplified sound at 917 Grand Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for the Grand Old Day event; and
WHEREAS, Grand Avenue Business Association ("Applicant"), represented by Holly Weinkauf, President, 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 50 feet from the sound source to present amplified sound at 1055 Grand Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for the Grand Old Day event; and
WHEREAS, Grand Avenue Business Association ("Applicant"), represented by Holly Weinkauf, President, 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 50 feet from the sound source to present amplified sound at 1549 Grand Avenue - Macalester College Parking Lot; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm with a pre-event sound check at 8:00 am on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for the Grand Old Day event; and
WHEREAS, if the Applicant is not granted these variances, then the Applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 640 Grand Avenue, south of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Grotto Street S. and 791 Grand Avenue, 917 Grand Avenue, 1055 Grand Avenue, and 1549 Grand Avenue - Macalester College Parking Lot; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections has reviewed the applications and has made recommendations regarding conditions for the variances. Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby grants five (5) variances to Grand Avenue Business Association for the Grand Old Day event at each of these locations--640 Grand Avenue, south of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Grotto Street S. and 791 Grand Avenue, 917 Grand Avenue, 1055 Grand Avenue, and 1549 Grand Avenue - Macalester College Parking Lot--subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026, with a pre-event sound check from 8:00 am on the event day, for the Grand Old Day event.
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 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
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 and 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 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the event date, 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
Grand Avenue Business Association, represented by Holly Weinkauf, President, has requested a variance from the sound level limitations in section 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday, June 7, 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