The battle over the Bolsa Chica Mesa moved a step closer to wrapping up on Thursday.
Irvine-based developer California Coastal Communities Inc. said it gained approval from the California Coastal Commission to build 349 homes on the upper portion of the Bolsa Chica Mesa in Huntington Beach.
The company also said it expects to complete the $65 million sale of its 103-acre lower portion of the Bolsa Chica Mesa to the state Wildlife Conservation Board before a Dec. 31 deadline.
Both the permit and sale must be completed before building can begin.
California Coastal had received conditional approval in April from the California Coastal Commission, though it had to satisfy a list of 27 conditions in the highly sensitive nature area.
About 96% of the coastal property would become permanent open space when the deal is finalized.
The 30-year fight over the wetlands pushed California Coastal into bankruptcy more than a decade ago. It emerged from bankruptcy in 1997.
