Court Decides in Favor of Headlands Landowner.

DANA POINT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 1998--Orange County Superior Court decided Friday in favor of the Headlands Reserve LLC and Sherman Co., the owners of the Dana Point Headlands property, in their lawsuit against the City of Dana Point.

Judge John C. Woolley issued an order granting the landowner's petition. The Court order expressly prohibits the City of Dana Point from preparing or processing its specific plan for the Headlands. The Court order also directed the City instead to accept and process the landowner's specific plan for the property.

The City was attempting to process a specific plan and a general plan amendment that downsized the property without the cooperation of the landowner. To date, the City has spent in excess of $500,000 processing its plan. The Court ruled that the City's process and expenditures of funds was unlawful.

"We are not surprised by the judge's ruling," said Sanford Edward, principal of Headlands Reserve. "We have long maintained that the City has ignored our basic private property rights.

"This Court order creates an opportunity for us to submit a plan that represents a true compromise. We will seek to strike a balance between the concerns of the community, the City and ourselves, without sacrificing the project quality. We welcome community input and desire to end up with a plan that complements and enhances this unique and special site."