Agenda - Council - 10/14/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IDIGITAL OLJTLJOOR iDigital Outdoor 25113 21st Ave St Cloud, MN 56301 Phone: 701-369-6100 Fax: 701-212-4714 September 4, 2025 To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the Ramsey City Council: Thank you for the opportunity to submit this letter for your consideration ahead of Tuesday's Council meeting. I am writing regarding the proposed digital billboard project currently under review, which seeks a variance from the city's 2-mile spacing requirement. My company, iDigital Outdoor, previously submitted an application for a similar location in the same area. However, based on direct feedback from city staff at the time, including guidance that the location fell within the 2-mile buffer and would therefore not be permitted, we made the decision not to proceed. There was no indication that pursuing a variance was a viable or encouraged option. We were very invested in this, we had the lease drafted up for the landowner, we had submitted to the MNDOT for permit application and had done all of the city's application and sent it into city staff, so we did not abandon the site due to lack of interest, feasibility, or resources. We stepped back out of respect for the city's process and based on what we believed was a definitive reading of the code and how it would be applied. Had we been told that a variance could be considered, particularly for sites like ours at roughly 1.86 to 1.94 miles, we would have gladly pursued that path. In fact, we had already been working with MNDOT on the state side of the permitting process. Now, a separate applicant has been allowed to move forward with a variance for a nearly identical situation. I understand that they submitted a complete application, and I do not fault them for doing so. However, I respectfully ask the Council to take into account that we were the first to identify and pursue this opportunity and that our decision not to continue was directly shaped by advice we received from the city. We have invested heavily in the Ramsey community and have operated two existing conforming signs in the area for years. Our preference was always to work collaboratively with the city, follow the process, and respect the city's stated ordinances. If the current variance request is granted, it will fully block us from ever placing a sign in this area due to spacing, despite our prior engagement and good faith efforts. I respectfully ask the Council to consider this background before approving the current request. We would appreciate the opportunity to submit a new application and variance request for our previously discussed location, should the city be open to tabling the current request long enough for both parties to be evaluated fairly. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Joshua L Gilleland Managing Member - CEO Phone: 701.369.6100 25113 21st Ave St Cloud, MN 56301