This story was updated to reflect comments from Bellaire Development Services.

After two attempts at getting approval to place the historic scoreboard at the newly built Bellaire High School baseball field, the scoreboard's future is still in limbo as members of the city's Board of Adjustments voted 4-2 to deny a variance at a Dec. 15 meeting.

The scoreboard does not comply with the city's zoning ordinance code, said Bellaire Board of Adjustment Vice Chair Maureen Gilbert, who voted against the variance.

“No. 1, this is a code," she said at the meeting. "Given that it’s historical, it’s nice for Bellaire students and [Houston ISD]. This is a city of Bellaire code. So whether or not you guys were told or took it upon yourself to figure out what the Bellaire codes required ... [or] that it was ‘just covered’ because it was in a drawing.”

Although HISD applied for sign permits in June, according to city records, they were denied under the R-3 residential zoning district, which is a zoning code that only allows a sign to be no larger than 300 square feet. The original 576-square-foot scoreboard includes the white framing flanking the sides that indicate the school’s winning records dating back to 1960.

As part of Bellaire High School renovations, the scoreboard was moved from its original location at 5100 Maple Street to the new baseball fields at 6300 Avenue B. Based on the city ordinance, it was too large by more than 200 square feet.

In August, HISD appealed the denial. The matter was taken up during a public meeting in October where city officials voted 4-2 against the appeal.

HISD tried a different route during a second public meeting in December to try and get the sign approved through a special variance that would allow the oversized sign to stay.

Jeffrey Chapman is the principal architect with the firm PBK Architects, selected by HISD to handle the project.

“What our assumption was, because this scoreboard existed when we moved it to the same city, it still would comply with whatever rule whenever we applied for the permit," Chapman said at the meeting. "That is the time the drawings clearly show all the electrical, all of the structure required to hold the scoreboard. It was a very intensive, almost a yearlong process to approve these fields. There were no surprises.”

At the Dec. 15 meeting, parents and members of the high school’s baseball team spoke to board members, including head coach Woodrow Newsom, as well as high school senior and baseball player Jack Reid and his father Harris Reid.

“I ask that you allow us to keep this community relic at our new field the way it has always been to inspire neighborhood kids like me to carry on the winning legacy of the Bellaire baseball program,” Jack Reid said.

Newly appointed Bellaire High School principal Michael Niggli also spoke on behalf of the students at his school.

“That baseball scoreboard is part of Bellaire’s history, and it’s part of Americana as we know it. Why would we want to take that down?" Niggli asked the board. "I ask why would we want to remove Bellaire High School’s history? Why would we want to erase the great things that the students of Bellaire High School have done?”

At least six Bellaire residents as well as the former baseball head coach Nick Ozuna emailed the city for public comments on the matter asking board members to support the variance on behalf of the children playing the game, the school’s tradition, pride and spirit.

The two board members who opposed the variance, Bharat Raval and Gilbert, also asked the public to weigh in with alternative options for the scoreboard that could satisfy city zoning requirements while also upholding the part of the sign that showcased the historical dates, including a 1999 national championship.

“Let’s find a solution. I see that there is an effort by various people in this room to find a solution,” Raval said.

Bellaire city officials said they recognize the historical significance of the scoreboard and are continuing talks with HISD to find other options for it.

The next meeting with the Board of Adjustment is scheduled for Jan. 19.