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Approving the application of Irish Fair of Minnesota for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on August 7, 2025, August 8, 2025, August 9, 2025, and August 10, 2025 at 200 Justus Ohage Blvd - Harriet Island Regional 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, §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, Irish Fair of Minnesota, represented by Sarah VanSickle, Event Manager, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, for 90 dBA at 50 feet, to present amplified sound for the Irish Fair of Minnesota at 200 Justus Phage Blvd. - Harriet Island Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on August 7, 2025 and August 8. 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on August 9, 2025 and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 10, 2025 for the Irish Fair of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 200 Justus Ohage Blvd - Harriet Island Regional 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 the Irish Fair of Minnesota, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on August 7, 2025 and August 8, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on August 9, 2025, and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 10, 2025 for the Irish Fair of Minnesota.
2) Main Stage: All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar
devices used in conjunction with the event must not exceed 90 dBA at 50 feet from the
sound source. Amplified sound on Main Stage must end at 10:00 p.m., per Parks
Department end time Policy.
3) Pub Stage (Tent): All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or
similar devices used in conjunction with the event must not exceed 90 dBA at 50 feet from
the sound source. Pub Stage amplified sound to end at 11:00 p.m. on Thursday August 7, Friday, August 8, Saturday August 9, and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, per Parks Department end time Policy.
4) All Other Stages: All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or
similar devices used in conjunction with the event must not exceed 90 dBA at 50 feet from
the sound source.
5) 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. Applicant shall also conduct a decibel reading during the variance upon request of city staff.
6) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers, or similar devices located on the event grounds must be turned off no later than the above identified times at the specific locations on the event dates.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the August 7, 2025, August 8, 2025, August 9, 2025 and August 10, 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
Irish Fair of Minnesota, represented by Events Manager, Sarah VanSickle, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on August 7, 2025 and August 8, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on August 9, 2025, and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 10, 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
.