Title
Approving the application of Wabasha Brewing for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for Live Music at Wabasha event series on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026, at 429 Wabasha Street South - the patio of Wabasha Brewing.
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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, Section 293.10 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, Wabasha Brewing ("Applicant"), represented by Deanna Vastine, Events Coordinator, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance for a sound level limit of 80 decibels (dBA) at fifty (50) feet from the sound source, to present amplified sound at 429 Wabasha Street South - the patio of Wabasha Brewing; and
WHEREAS, the Applicant has requested a variance for the hours of 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026, with pre-event sound checks at 1:30 pm on event days, for the Live Music at Wabasha event series; and
WHEREAS, if the Applicant is not granted a variance, then the Applicant will not be able to present amplified sound at 429 Wabasha Street South - the patio of Wabasha Brewing; 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 Wabasha Brewing, subject to the following conditions:
1) The Variance shall be for the hours of 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026, with pre-event sound checks at 1:30 pm on event days, for the Live Music at Wabasha events.
2) All electronically powered equipment used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 80 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound source from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026.
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 and within 30 days thereafter. The 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 8:00 pm on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026, the event dates, may result in denial of future requests for the grant of a noise variance, in addition to any criminal citation that might issue.
Required Background Information
Wabasha Brewing, represented by Deanna Vastine, Events Coordinator, has requested a variance from the sound level limitations in section 293.07 in order to present amplified sound, with limitations, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Saturdays of May 9, May 23, June 6, June 20, July 4, August 1, and August 15, 2026. Section 293.10 provides for the granting of variances from the sound level limitations contained in section 293.07.
Was proper notice given? YES - See Attachments