The Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board considered changes in appearance of local establishments with an iron fist.

A few local business owners came before the District Board last week to discuss various changes they wanted to make to their establishments.

The majority of the meeting was spent in heated discussion over the restoration of the Olympic Athletic Club sign on Ballard Avenue. The athletic club's general manager, Mark Durall, wants to replace the arrow that was stolen in February and restore the sign, but replace the face with the Olympic Athletic Club logo and colors.

"There are a lot of people who for the past 30 or 40 years have looked up at that sign every day. It's a part of Ballard," Durall said. "We just want to replace the face of the sign so we can use it again."

Conflict arose over the definition of restoration.

"Your proposal looks like a completely different sign," board coordinator Heather McAuliffe said. "If you want to do a sign that ties in with your logo just make a proposal for a new sign."

Unfortunately for Durall, the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Guidelines leave few options for new signs. These restrictions prohibit the erection of backlit signs and cabinet signs because they are internally illuminated, and discourage the use of neon light.

Although blade signs, double-faced projecting signs that hang perpendicular to the building, are encouraged, they must not exceed eight square feet in size. Durall's plans are considerably larger at over 22 square feet.

"Yes, we could get your approval and restore the sign exactly like it was before," Durall said. "But I don't think it would look very good."

The sign, which was installed in the 1930's, originally was a backlit sign with white panels and tracks for plain black lettering.

"The color is where the problem comes in," board member Linda Day said. "I would be more comfortable with the white background and black letters. Color may leave too much of an impact on Ballard."

The discussion ended with no resolution. Durall will be creating a proposal and presenting it to the board in July.

Mike Leifer, the manager of King's Hardware, attended the board meeting to get retroactive approval for a mural sign that was painted on the south wall of the restaurant.

The board unanimously opposed the request because the mural was done on unpainted brick, which is in conflict with the district guidelines.

"I'm very disappointed that someone in the historic district would go ahead and do this before getting the approval of the board," Day said. "Now there is the issue of removal of the mural."

Other issues on the meeting agenda were the approval for a blade sign and planters in front of Pulp Inc., a marketing and design services company, which was approved.

A representative was also present for La Carta de Oaxaca, a Mexican restaurant, to get final approval on finish colors to be applied to the outdoor deck at the rear of the building. Grey was approved for the wood on the sides, and a terra cotta shade for the deck.

The meeting closed with the announcement that after six years of service Day was leaving the board, and board Chair Elaine Wine's term was ending in July.

Separately, the board announced the results of Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board. James Riggle was elected in position one and Richard Hiner was elected for position two.

Camille Villanueva may be reached at camillev@robinsonnews.con