Board approves 85‑foot Racetrack interstate sign after petitioner cites visibility needs

Anderson City’s Board of Zoning Appeals voted to approve petition 7‑25, permitting Racetrack to install an interstate‑oriented multi‑tenant sign up to 85 feet tall near the Interstate 69 interchange.

Staff recommended approval, saying the proposed location—at the northwestern corner of the Racetrack development adjacent to I‑69—should not create visibility or safety problems. “We don't feel like where it's gonna be located. It's not gonna cause any kind of vision issues or any other problems,” staff member Mitchell said during the meeting.

Joe Sikos, a land‑use consultant with Clark Quinn Law, presented the application and said the developer plans a sign that will include LED fuel pricing, Racetrack branding and two tenant panels for future occupants. Zach Sim of Racetrack said the company tested sightlines with a drone and concluded an 85‑foot sign is the minimum height needed for southbound drivers to see the sign in time to exit safely. “85 foot is that tall as we can go. Anything below 85, when we flew the drone up there, you cannot see it from the interstate,” Sim said.

Board members discussed local precedents for tall highway signs; staff and the petitioner cited nearby examples the city has previously approved. After brief discussion, Board Member Grubbs moved to approve the petition, the motion was seconded and the board voted 4–0 to grant the variance. Staff instructed the applicant to see the planning department for required permits.

The approval allows the developer to construct a highway‑oriented, up‑to‑85‑foot‑tall, multi‑tenant sign with LED pricing indicators. Any future exterior signage not included in this petition will require separate permitting.

Planning staff and the applicant indicated the sign will be sited and engineered to meet applicable sight‑distance and safety standards; no further changes to the board’s motion were recorded.