Title
Approving the application of Evie Mouacheupao for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on June 28, 2025, and June 29, 2025 at 353 University Avenue, 394 University Avenue and on the corner of Western Ave N and Sherburne Ave.
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, Evie Mouacheupao, Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA), Arts & Culture Manager, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, for 90 dBA at no specific distance to present amplified sound for the Little Mekong Night Market at 353 University Avenue, 394 University Avenue and on the corner of Western Ave N and Sherburne Ave; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 28, 2025 and 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 29, 2025 with a pre-event sound check at 1:00 p.m. on June 28, 2025, and at 11:00 a.m. on June 29, 2025 for the Little Mekong Night Market; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 353 University Avenue, 394 University Avenue and on the corner of Western Ave N and Sherburne Ave; 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 Evie Mouacheupao, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025 and 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025 with a pre-event sound check for up to a specific one hour period between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on June 28, 2025, and at 11:00 a.m. on June 29, 2025 for the Little Mekong Night Market.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 90 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 9:00 p.m. on June 28, and June 29, 2025 the event dates.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the June 28, 2025 and June 29, 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
Evie Mouacheupao, AEDA Arts & Culture Manager, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 28, 2025 and 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 29, 2025 with a pre-event sound check at 1:00 p.m. on June 28, 2025, and at 11:00 a.m. on June 29, 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