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Approving the application of Steve Heckler, Lowertown Blues Festival, for a sound level variance to present amplified music on Thursday, July 19 through Saturday, July 21, 2018 during the Lowertown Blues Festival at Mears Park.
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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, §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, Lowertown Blues Festival, represented by Steve Heckler, Director, who has been designated as the responsible person on the application, has applied for a variance, with a sound level request of 92 dBA at 100 feet, to present amplified music at Mears Park; and
WHEREAS, applicant is seeking a variance beginning Thursday, July 19 through Saturday, July 21, 2018, from 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 2:00 p.m. daily, for the Lowertown Blues Festival; and
WHEREAS, if applicant is not granted a variance applicant will not be able to present amplified live music at Mears 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 Lowertown Blues Festival, Steve Heckler, subject to the following conditions:
1) The variance will be for the Lowertown Blues Festival beginning Thursday, July 19 through Saturday, July 21, 2018, from noon to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 2:00 p.m. daily.
2) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices used in conjunction with the event shall not exceed 85 dBA as measured at 50 feet from the sound source from the hours of 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on July 19 and July 20, 2018,and shall not exceed 92 dBA at measured at 50 feet from the sound source from 5:01 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on July 19 and July 20, 2018 and from 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2018.
3) The applicant will provide personnel and equipment to ensure compliance with the sound level variance conditions.
4) All electronically powered equipment, PA systems, loudspeakers or similar devices must be turned off no later than 10:00 p.m. on the days of the event performances.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any violations of the conditions set forth above, may result in denial of any future variances, in addition to any criminal citation which may be issued.
Required Background Information
Steve Heckler, Director, has requested an exemption from the sound level limitations in Chapter 293.07 in order to present amplified music, with limitations, beginning Thursday, July 19 through Saturday, July 21, 2018 from noon to 10:00 p.m., with a pre-event sound check at 2:00 p.m., during the Lowertown Blues Festival at Mears 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