The Board of Adjustment on March 4 denied a request from property owner Sondra Jones to reduce required parking for a new residential building at 111 West Sunny Isle Drive, Lot 7A, Block 8, Sunny Isle Subdivision.

The request sought to lower the parking requirement for residential uses in the Padre Boulevard and Entertainment District form‑based code from nine spaces to six. Alex Sanchez, Public Works director, told the panel the project originally showed nine spaces but “because of the riser room, they can only get 6.”

The shortage stems from construction changes, board members were told. Albert Anderson said the electric utility required one space for a transformer and wiring; sprinkler contractors relocated a riser room to the front of the building, which eliminated additional stalls. Anderson said a fire marshal told the project team that one front space might be usable only if there is adequate clearance between the sprinkler‑riser door and a parked vehicle, which could allow seven total spaces if confirmed.

Sondra Jones, the property owner, said she and the project team believed the building had nine spaces after permitting and inspections. “We didn't know that there was only 6 parking spaces there,” she said, adding that the electrical work and the riser‑room relocation were decisions made by contractors and utility crews and were not under the owner's control.

Board members discussed whether the circumstances amounted to a legal hardship, a requirement for granting a variance under the form‑based code. One board member noted prior precedent where the board had granted a variance after an overhead transmission line removed a parking space on another project (Sheepshead), but other members said they did not see a hardship that would distinguish this property from other lots in the same zone.

The board received two written letters opposing the variance, the chair said. After limited additional discussion, a board member moved to deny the variance request; the motion was seconded and the board voted to deny. The chair summarized the outcome as a denial with one member opposed.

No formal appeal, timeline for reconsideration or next administrative steps were specified during the meeting. The board closed the item and adjourned.