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

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a variance had never previously been approved in this context. At the time, it was presented as unlikely or inappropriate under the ordinance, and we acted accordingly. 5. Property Rights and Public Notification: One of our core concerns with the variance granted to Kenjoh is that adjacent property owners east of the proposed location were not formally notified, despite the fact that their billboard eligibility is directly affected by this decision. By granting a variance for a sign 1.85 miles from an existing one, the City has effectively eliminated the ability for any other landowner within that corridor to benefit from a sign lease agreement. That impact is not minor. These are property rights that deserved a seat at the table. Public notice should have extended to these owners. 6. Stakeholder Notification: As the owner of the only two existing digital billboard structures in the City of Ramsey, structures approved under the very ordinance now being varied, we believe iDigital should have been notified of any proposed variance request affecting our industry, especially one within 1.85 miles of an existing location. While we acknowledge this is not a legal requirement under current noticing procedures, we submit that best practices in municipal transparency and stakeholder engagement support this type of notification. 7. Broader Process Concerns: Finally, we believe that the variance process as executed, granting an exception to a company that submitted its application before the rest of the community was made aware a variance would be considered, sets a precedent that disadvantages other landowners and stakeholders. When rules change, there should be a window for all interested parties to submit under the new conditions. That opportunity was not provided here. We appreciate your consideration of these points. The accompanying packet outlines the timeline and depth of our original efforts to bring a third billboard location to the east end of town, under the original rules. The circumstances and procedures surrounding the recently approved variance deserve a closer look, and we respectfully submit that this appeal is warranted on those grounds. Sincerely, Josh Gilleland iDigital Outdoor 3235 Oak Ridge Loop E West Fargo, ND 58078 Josh@iDigitalOutdoor.com 701-369-6100