Title
Approving the application of Allianz Field + Minnesota United FC for a sound level variance in order to present live amplified sound for the Great Lawn Concert event on May 9, 2025 outside of Allianz Field - 400 Snelling Ave. N. (To be withdrawn due to the event cancellation.)
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, Minnesota United FC /Allianz Field, represented by Zacharia Litzelswope, Director, Event Operations, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, for a requested sound level limit of 95 dBA at no specified distance, to present amplified sound on the Great Lawn North Side Activation area outside of 400 Snelling Ave N. - Allianz Field; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on May 9, 2025 with a pre-event sound check between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025 for the Great Lawn Concert; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound outside of 400 Snelling Ave N. - Allianz Field; 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 Minnesota United FC/ Allianz Field, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025 with pre-event sound checks between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 95 dBA as measured at 50 feet from all sound sources and shall not exceed 80 dBA as measured at 50 feet during the pre-event sound checks on May 9, 2025.
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 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. The applicant shall provide personnel and equipment to ensure compliance with the sound level variance conditions.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 10:30 p.m. May 9, 2025, the event date.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the May 9, 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
Minnesota United FC/ Allianz Field, represented by Zacharia Litzelswope, Director, Event Operations has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025 with pre-event sound checks between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 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