Title
Approving the application of WCCO Television for a sound level variance to present announcements and amplified music on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Hidden Falls Regional Park during Pulling Together.
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, §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, WCCO Television, represented by Matt Alan, Special Projects Manager, has applied for a variance, at a requested sound level limit of 93 decibels (dBA) at no specified distance, in order to present announcements and amplified music at Hidden Falls Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, applicant is seeking a variance for the hours of 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Hidden Falls Regional Park during Pulling Together; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present announcements and amplified music at Hidden Falls 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 WCCO Television, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, September 8, 2018.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 90 dBA as measured 50 feet from sound source.
3) The applicant shall provide personnel and equipment to ensure compliance with the sound level variance conditions. The applicant may need to provide a barrier, to act as a sound absorber to contain excess sound from leaving the area.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 6:00 p.m. on the date of the event.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above may result in revocation of this variance for any subsequent dates and/or the denial of any future variance requests, in addition to any criminal citation which might issue.
Required Background Information
WCCO Television has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present announcements and amplified music from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 9:00 a.m., on Saturday, September 8, 2018, during the Pulling Together at Hidden Falls Regional Park. 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