Minutes - Council - 09/09/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.02: Adopt Resolution #25-204 Approving a Conditional Use Permit for an Off-Premises Digital Billboard Sign at 6111 Highway 10 NW (Kenjoh Outdoor Advertising) Planning Manager Larson reviewed the Staff report regarding the Conditional Use Permit for an off-premises digital billboard sign at 6111 Highway 10 NW. He shared the Planning Commission's recommendation of approval. Josh Gilleland, iDigital Outdoor, came forward and passed out packets to the Council with information regarding a request he had put in for a digital billboard to the east, which also did not meet the two-mile distance requirements. He shared that he had discussed their application with Staff and was told that if the sign was within two miles of another sign, then it would not be approved. He stated that because of this direction from Staff, they did not pursue the application any further. He noted that the letter that they received from Staff stated that if they wanted to move forward with a Conditional Use Permit, then they must submit a survey showing that the survey was outside of the two-mile distance requirement. He noted that a variance was never discussed with them when they pursued this request. He said he would like this to be a fair and equitable situation and asked the Council to change the City sign code if they are willing to allow a sign within two miles of another sign and to allow them to also resubmit their application. He noted that there is only one property in the City that is not within two miles of another digital billboard, and it is in the Riverwalk Village HOA. Councilmember Specht asked why the original applicant was told their request would not be approved. Planning Manager Larson explained that iDigital did submit an application; however, it was missing necessary documentation, including the application fee and the property owner's signature. He noted that iDigital applied for a Conditional Use Permit, and their application did not meet the requirements of the Conditional Use Permit. He said that they could have applied for a variance if they wanted to pursue this option. Councilmember Specht asked if Staff ever informed iDigital that they could pursue a variance request. Planning Manager Larson said he was not sure. Scott Levine, the applicant, came forward and shared that when he originally reached out to the City, he shared that he was aware that a variance was needed for this request. He said that Planning Manager Larson did not give them an indication either way as to whether or not this would be approved. He added that they received the MnDOT permit for this digital billboard. He noted that the other digital billboards in the City belong to iDigital. Councilmember Buscher acknowledged the effort that iDigital put into their initial application. She noted that in the emails between them and Staff, it seems like Planning Manager Larson was trying very hard to help and get them to a positive outcome. She stated she sees that Planning Manager Larson did his due diligence in this situation to try to help iDigital. City Council / September 9, 2025 Page 9 of 13