Title
Approving the application of Ragnar Events, LLC for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on Friday, August 8, 2025 at 30 Sherburne Ave - Cass Gilbert Park.
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 283 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code was enacted to regulate the subject of noise in the City of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS, §283.08 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in §283.07, upon a finding by the City Council that full compliance with Chapter 283 would constitute an unreasonable hardship on the applicant, other persons or on the community; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Erwin, Race Director, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, at 75 dBA and no specified distance, to present amplified sound for a Ragnar Road Minnesota 2025 event at 30 Sherburne Ave - Cass Gilbert Park; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025 for a Ragnar Road Minnesota 2025 event; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 30 Sherburne Ave - Cass Gilbert 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 Daniel Erwin, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025 for Ragnar Road Minnesota 2025.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 75 dBA 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. 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 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025, the event date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the Friday, August 8, 2025 date 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
Daniel Erwin, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 283.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 4:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a pre-event sound check at 4:30 a.m. on Friday August 8, 2025. Chapter 283.08 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in Chapter 283.07.
Was proper notice given? YES - See Attachments