Board approves illuminated projecting sign for BiblioFiles Kitchen but declines staff modification request

The City of Salina Design Review Board approved an internally illuminated projecting sign for BiblioFiles Kitchen at 228B South Santa Fe Avenue, voting 5-0 on Oct. 9.

Staff presented application CC 25-21 (filed by Lumineo Signs for BiblioFiles Kitchen) and noted the building at 228–230 South Santa Fe is divided into five tenant spaces under separate ownership; as a result, sign allowances are calculated per tenant frontage. Staff said the 228B tenant has 14 feet of frontage and a 42-square-foot sign allowance. The proposed projecting sign is circular, 4 feet 11 inches in diameter (about 19 square feet), and would leave 23 square feet of allowance remaining for the tenant.

Staff noted the proposed sign is internally illuminated and observed that downtown design guidelines favor illumination that backlights text and logos rather than fully illuminated sign cabinets. Staff recommended option 2 (approval with conditions), including the standard condition that staff review changes and a specific condition asking that the sign cabinet be modified so only the letters and logo are illuminated when lit. Staff also disclosed it had missed an under-awning sign in the initial review and said the applicant will be readvertised and staff will return the second sign for board review at a subsequent meeting.

Megan Schafer of Lumineo described mounting details and said fully routed signs (which illuminate only copy) are more expensive; she outlined lower-cost compromises (for example, block-out vinyl) that could limit visible illumination from colored areas. Board members discussed precedent (citing local examples such as Starbucks and Jose Peppers) and fairness to other businesses; some members noted prior sign work by other owners but also said those examples differ in materials and execution.

A board member moved to approve option 2 while explicitly not requiring the staff-suggested modification that the cabinet be altered so only letters and logo illuminate. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote (5-0).

Staff will readvertise and return the related under-awning sign for review at the next meeting and will process permitting for the approved projecting sign under the city's standard procedures.