New business owners learned that the impact their establishments leave on Ballard Avenue is meticulously measured by the Landmark District Board.

Mark Magdaleno, of local shoe store Triple, came before the board for approval to install an aluminum blade sign with black and white vinyl graphics over the entryway, and to install vinyl graphics on the windows of the entry doors.

"This is not a traditional application," board member Elaine Wine said. "What we need to look at is its impact. It will have a lot of impact because there is a lot of contrast between the black and the white."

The board deliberated over controversial elements of the blade sign, including the proposed aluminum construction and the vinyl graphics, which are both generally discouraged. They also discussed the thickness of the sign, and the method of attachment.

Due to the lack of support Magdaleno withdrew the application for the blade sign to look into subtler sign option.

"If you were approving a hand painted wood sign attached with a bracket it would be a done deal," board member Steve Mako said.

The proposal for vinyl graphics on the windows of the entry doors was unopposed and unanimously approved by the board.

Shiku Sushi owner Robert Kim came before the board to get approval on a sign above the entry door of the establishment, and the paint color for the entry door.

The hand painted wood sign design and muted red paint color for the door were both unanimously approved.

"The overall impact and size seems appropriate for that building and area," Mako said.

The meeting also included a board briefing on the City Ethics Code by Wayne Barnett, executive director of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

"The heart of what we do is to make sure that people don't have actual or perceived conflicts of interest," Barnett said.

The board then held an election for 2008-2009 Board Officers. Mako was voted Chair of the board, and Jon Burreson as the Vice Chair of the board.