Title
Approving the application of Capitol Region Watershed District, Lindsay Schwantes, Community Engagement Program Manager for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on September 22, 2023 at 595 Aldine St - Capitol Region Watershed District west parking lot.
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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, Capitol Region Watershed District, Lindsay Schwantes, Community Engagement Program Manager, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, for a requested sound level limit of 85 dBA measured at 50 feet from the sound source, to present amplified sound at 595 Aldine St - Capitol Region Watershed District west parking lot; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023 with a pre-event sound check at 2:00 p.m. for the Capitol Region Watershed District 25th Anniversary Celebration; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 595 Aldine St - Capitol Region Watershed District 25th Anniversary Celebration; 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 Capitol Region Watershed District, Lindsay Schwantes, Community Engagement Program Manager, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, 2023 with a pre-event sound check at 2:00 p.m.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 85 dBA as measured at 50 feet from all sound sources for the event hours of 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., and for the pre-event sound check at 2:00 p.m.
3) The applicant shall provide personnel and equipment who shall provide continuous sound level monitoring at each sound mix during the hours of the variance.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 7:00 p.m. September 22, 2023, the event date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violation of the conditions set forth above on the September 22, 2023 date may result denial of future requests for the grant of a noise variance, in addition to any criminal citation which might issue.
Required Background Information
Capitol Region Watershed District, represented by Lindsay Schwantes, Community Engagement Program Manager, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on September 22, 2023. 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