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Heritage Commission approves restoration of historic Champlin Oil pole sign at 4th and Iron
Summary
The Salina Heritage Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for refurbishment of the Champlin Oil pole sign, allowing temporary removal for repair, repainting of the post and base, and restoration of external illumination using existing conduit and a repaired light housing.
The Salina Heritage Commission approved application CA 25-2 to refurbish the locally designated Champlin Oil pole sign at the southwest corner of 4th Street and Iron Avenue.
Staff described the sign’s history and prior designation, noting the Huntington Oil Wholesalers constructed the service station in 1931 and Champlin Oil operated at the site in the 1950s. Abner and Catherine Perny acquired the property in 1995 and the Perny family applied for a historic sign designation in 1997; the commission approved that designation in 1999 with a condition that the owner restore the sign to a more historically appropriate appearance.
Staff outlined the proposed work: temporarily remove the sign to refurbish perimeter components (not the historic sign face), repair and repaint the vertical post and base, remove rust and prime metal, repair a damaged underground conduit elbow for concealed wiring, retain the existing concrete base, and replace or restore the exterior light housing so the sign will be externally illuminated. Staff concluded the plan appears to align with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and recommended approval with the condition that any significant changes be returned to staff and potentially brought back to the commission for additional review.
Applicant Charles Renz, representing JGR Architects, told the commission, “The intent is to refurbish the sign,” and clarified the project includes restoring an original metal piece from the light housing that the owner retained. He said the restored housing would be powder-coated and weatherproofed and the sign would be relit with LED uplighting under the round portion of the sign face.
Commissioners voted to approve the certificate of appropriateness under staff’s recommended option; the motion carried by voice vote.
The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the described restoration subject to the commission’s certificate of appropriateness process and the staff condition that significant alterations be returned for review. Work that differs materially from the plan should be presented to staff and may be brought back to the commission.
