Design Review Board approves signs, awning replacement for Cupcakes and Gluten Free Cafe at 228C S. Santa Fe

The Salina Design Review Board on a unanimous vote approved a certificate of compatibility allowing Cupcakes and Gluten Free Cafe to install a 20-square-foot wall sign, a 3.6-square-foot awning valance sign and to replace a rear awning at 228C South Santa Fe Avenue, subject to a staff condition that substantial changes return to the board.

The approval matters because the storefront does not have direct frontage on Santa Fe Avenue and the building sits within the city's Business Improvement District, which requires design review before a sign permit may be issued. The signs are intended to direct patrons from Santa Fe Avenue to the café entrance on Spelman Plaza.

City planning staff told the board that application CC-25-12, filed by Kate Jennings on behalf of Cupcakes and Gluten Free Cafe, proposes two metal signs with white vinyl letters on a blue background and a replacement blue canvas awning using existing awning framework. Staff reported the proposed front wall sign would be 20 square feet and non-illuminated, while the rear awning valance sign would be 3.6 square feet. Staff also said the applicant submitted written permission from the owner of the front storefront to place the sign on that façade.

Staff noted the building at 228–230 South Santa Fe is divided into five separately owned tenant spaces, with individual frontages of about 13, 13, 14, 14 and 17 feet, and that downtown sign allowances are calculated by each tenant's frontage. Under the C-4 district sign regulation staff cited, no zoning lot shall be restricted to less than 36 square feet of sign area irrespective of street frontage; because the 228C tenant space lacks Santa Fe frontage staff said the space is entitled to a 36-square-foot minimum allowance. Staff reported that Doc's Barber Shop — the front portion of the building owned by Larry Saint Clair — has 13 feet of Santa Fe frontage and 39 square feet of sign allowance; after allowing Cupcakes to place the 20-square-foot wall sign on the front façade, staff said Doc's Barber Shop or a future tenant would have about 19 square feet remaining.

Board discussion focused on design details rather than compliance. One board member suggested refining the directional arrow so it better directs patrons "to the right and then back" toward Spelman Plaza and recommended enlarging the "gluten free cafe" tagline to make the business type more visible to passing customers. Kate Jennings, the applicant, said the awning framework is in good condition and that Ponton Construction would replace the fabric in blue and apply the smaller awning sign to the rear once contacted. Public commenter Miss Bishop said, "I think this will be a great addition to downtown to have a a specific bakery that will add, offer something to those who have dietary issues. Thank you. Thanks, Kate."

City planning staff recommended approval under option 2 — approval with a staff condition that any significant changes be returned to the board — and the board moved and seconded that motion. Vice chair Freeland and board members Herman and Kates voted in favor; there were no votes against and no abstentions. Staff explained a 14-day protest period applies to design review board approvals; if no successful protest is filed, staff will issue the sign permit after that period.

The board's administrative update noted there are no scheduled agenda items for the next meeting and that staff has approved three administrative certificates of compatibility this year, bringing the total to 13 for the year.