ANDERSON — By late August, a 70-foot sign will proclaim the presence of the Hoosier Park racino to all who pass along Interstate 69.

During Wednesday’s meeting of the Anderson Board of Zoning Appeals, the board gave special exception approval for the erection of the sign.

Hoosier Park petitioned the board for a front set-back variance, because placement of the sign fell short of the ordinance by 27 feet.

The city requires that signs be placed 50 feet back from roadways. Hoosier Park plans to place the sign just 23 feet back from the I-69 exit ramp.

However, since the sign is more than 50 feet from the interstate itself, the board granted approval of the variance Wednesday.

The 70-foot sign measures 644 square feet and features a 9-foot by 16-foot video screen along with several multi-colored lights.

The Indiana Department of Transportation stipulated that the sign not contain any flashing or moving lights, but chairman Rudy Williams disagreed. “Take it to the limit because I want people to get here.”

Williams said the city did not approve the racino only to have motorists pass it by on the interstate.

Rick Moore, general manager of racing for Hoosier Park, said the sign and the racino will only benefit the community. “It’s nice that Anderson is now a destination spot.”

“You’ll be very proud of what you see,” he added.

Dick Donnelly, a consultant for Hoosier Park, said the sign would help in drawing large crowds to Anderson, benefiting other area businesses. “We plan to bring 50,000 people a week to Anderson for the casino.”

In other zoning news:

• The board gave special exception approval to the Open Door Family Planning Clinic located in the Panorama Shopping Center on East 10th Street. The clinic will provide family planning services including contraceptives, gynecological exams, pregnancy tests, STD testing and prostate screenings. The clinic will not offer or refer abortion services.

• The board also granted special exception approval for the construction of a new Ricker’s at the corner of 23rd Street and Columbus Avenue. A front set-back variance was granted because the gas filling station canopy encroaches on the 30-foot set-back requirement, falling 7 feet short.