REAL ESTATE : Monarch Beach Luxury Resort Plans Delayed Again, at Least Until Fall

The developers of a plush oceanside resort in Dana Point say construction has been delayed again, this time at least until fall.

The California Coastal Commission approved the $300-million Monarch Beach Resort more than a year ago. As late as March, Dana Point developer Stein-Brief Group Inc. said construction would begin in May.

Now it could be the end of the year before construction starts, Stein-Brief said this week.

The developer said the delay was caused by “minor processing things” but declined to elaborate.

Instead, the developer referred questions to Hemmeter Development Co., the Hawaiian resort developer that is an equal partner with Stein-Brief in the project.

Stein-Brief’s public relations firm traced the delay to “lengthy negotiations” with community groups over obligations to build playing fields in Dana Point.

The two companies plan to build 1,126 hotel rooms in a main hotel and a smaller wing, part of an explosion of county seaside resorts.

Another project, Waterfront in Huntington Beach, is under development. And the Irvine Co. said this week it had selected Marriott Corp. to run an 1,100-room resort it plans on land it owns between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach.