Title
Approving the application of Minny Festivals, LLC for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound on July 18-20, 2025 at Harriet Island Regional Park - 49 Harriet Island Rd.
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, Minny Festivals, LLC, represented by Adam Shiland, Festival Director, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, for 110 dBA at 100 feet from the sound source, to present amplified sound for the Minnesota Yacht Club event at Harriet Island Regional Park - 49 Harriet Island Rd. on July 18-20, 2025.; and
WHEREAS, applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday-Sunday, July 18-20, 2025 with a pre-event sound check from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025 and 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18- Sunday, July 20, 2025 for the Minnesota Yacht Club event; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at Harriet Island Regional Park - 49 Harriet Island Rd; 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 Minny Festivals, LLC, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday-Sunday, July 18-20, 2025 with a pre-event sound check from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025 within one specific hour for pre-event sound checks on Friday-Sunday, July 18, 19 and 20, 2025. Electronically powered equipment used shall not exceed 80 dBA as measured at 50 feet during the pre-event sound check hour for the Minnesota Yacht Club event.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 100 dBA at 75 feet from all sound sources at the Main Stage.
3) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices used in conjunction with the Second Stage at the event must not exceed 92 dBA at 50 feet from the sound source.
4) 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 that 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 conduct a decibel reading during the variance upon request of city staff.
5) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices shall be turned off no later than 10:30 p.m. on July 18-20, 2025, the event dates.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the July 18-20, 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
Minny Festivals, LLC, represented by Adam Shiland, Festival Director, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday-Sunday, July 18-20, 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