Title
Approving the application of Metro Transit for two sound level variances in order to present amplified sound for the two locations of Rice Street Interlocking at 156 University Ave W and Minnesota Street Interlocking - E 12th St. and Minnestoa Street/ Union Depot Interlocking between Friday July 11-Monday July 21, 2025, for 2-3 days per site.
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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, §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, Railworks Track Systems, represented by Andrew Kadrlik, Project Manager, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for two variances, for 80 dBA at no specified distance, to present amplified sound for the Metro Transit - LRT Greenline Special Trackwork Shutdown for the two locations of Rice Street Interlocking at 156 University Ave W and Minnesota Street Interlocking - E 12th St. and Minnestoa Street/ Union Depot Interlocking between Friday July 11-Monday July 21, 2025, for 2-3 days per site; and
WHEREAS, in order to meet required completion dates and to minimize disruption to businesses, the public and adjoining property owners, the applicant is seeking a variance on July 11-July 21, 2025, for 24-hours per day; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance, applicant will not be able to operate general construction/demolition equipment and domestic power tools to do the needed repair work order at the two locations of Rice Street Interlocking at 156 University Ave W and Minnesota Street Interlocking - E 12th St. and Minnestoa Street/ Union Depot Interlocking between Friday July 11-Monday July 21, 2025, for 2-3 days per site; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) 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 Metro Transit, subject to the following conditions:
1) The variance shall be for July 11-July 21, 2025, for 24 hours per day for the Metro Transit - LRT Greenline Special Trackwork Shutdown.
2) Metro Transit shall take all practical steps available to minimize the noise levels during this period which do not otherwise unduly hinder the project or unreasonably increase the costs of the project.
3) The applicant shall use best practicable methods for controlling noise, such as, but not limited to noise blankets, shields or portable sound barriers. Construction activities should be scheduled to minimize noise as much as possible.
4) The applicant shall monitor the decibel level from the variance approved distance of each noise source create a report that records the general operating decibel levels within 15 minutes of the start of each of the work shift and at intervals no greater than 60 minutes apart thereafter. This 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.
5) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 21, 2025, the end date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the July 11-21, 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
Railworks Track Systems, represented by Project Manager, Andrew Kadrlik, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, for 24-hours per day from July 11-July 21, 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