DANA POINT

Following a judge’s order, the City Council voted this week to continue processing a developer’s plan for the Headlands coastal property. The vote drew a collective groan from the council chamber, where a majority of the overflow crowd was against the Headlands Reserve LLC’s plan to put homes, retail stores and a hotel on the site.

Some dissenters encouraged the council to keep fighting for the city’s alternative plan, which would save more open space. “Process the plan, but don’t approve it,” said Jeffrey Segall, a scientist active in the Save the Headlands community group. Segall said the developer’s compromise plan is worse than the one before it because it includes an extensive commercial area that will cause traffic congestion.

Representatives for the Headlands Reserve LLC were more optimistic.

“I believe in time the merits of this plan will become obvious,” said Vice President W. Kevin Darnall. He said his company has been working with the community through ads that solicit ideas and feedback on uses for the Headlands property. He said residents’ suggestions for a lighthouse, a permanent home for the Historical Society and a veterans memorial are part of the developer’s plan.