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Design Review Board OKs non-illuminated wall signs for Familia Toys at 143 S. Santa Fe
Summary
The Downtown Design Review Board approved two externally lit, non-illuminated wall signs for Familia Toys at 143 South Santa Fe, finding the proposed signs meet Downtown Salina design guidelines and C-4 zoning sign standards; the approval is subject to a condition that significant design changes return to staff or the board.
The Downtown Design Review Board on Thursday approved a certificate of compatibility allowing Familia Toys to install two non-illuminated wall signs at 143 South Santa Fe.
Planning staff presented the application (CC25-3), noting the two proposed signs — a 1.75-foot by 2.5-foot logo panel depicting a green rocking-horse/rocking-dinosaur and a 5-foot by 1-foot panel reading “FAMILIA TOYS, TOYS, GAMES, AND MORE” — would be externally lit by gooseneck lamps mounted on the building’s façade. Staff told the board the proposed 9.375 square feet of signage conforms to C-4 district sign regulations, which allow up to 3 square feet of sign area per linear foot of street frontage; the building has roughly 50 feet of frontage and could, under the regulation, carry up to 450 square feet of signage across the zoning lot.
The staff report said the signs would not obscure architectural features, would be coordinated with the façade composition, and would not be internally illuminated. Staff recommended approval under “option 2” with a condition that any significant changes to materials or design be presented to staff and, if necessary, returned to the board for further review; staff also asked the board to exclude a typographical finding (finding 4) that was not applicable to the application.
Applicants Eric and Jessica Swinson, who described themselves as the local downtown business owners behind Familia Toys, said they hope to open March 14 and that the signs are intended to make the storefront visible and pedestrian friendly. "We are hoping to open March 14," Jessica Swinson said. Leslie Bishop submitted a message of support, writing, "We are excited for Familia toys. SDI has worked with Jessica and Eric, and we welcome them to the neighborhood." Tiffany, a representative for Gleason & Son Signs participating by Zoom, confirmed the applicant’s intention to center and proportion the sign panels on the façade and that the typography and artwork would be vertically and visually balanced.
After discussion, a board member moved to approve staff’s recommendation (option 2) with the removal of the typographical finding; the motion was seconded and passed on a 5-0 vote. Board members Herman, Kates, Nelson, Vice Chair Freeland and Chair Manley voted in favor. The board noted a 14-day protest period applies to the decision; staff said the signed permit would be released after that period and the contractor could proceed.
The board and staff also noted the property’s historic context: the building is a two-story brick-and-stone Italianate commercial structure built around 1910 and altered after a 1929 fire; an earlier 2020 application had proposed LED signage but the final storefront used gooseneck fixtures and non-illuminated signs. The board’s approval requires no additional conditions beyond the staff-recommended review of significant material or design changes.
Administrative notes at the meeting included confirmation that required Open Meetings Act notice was posted and that the board will not hold a first March meeting but expects items at its second March meeting.
