After an hours-long public hearing, the California Coastal Commission put off making a final decision on a proposed desalination plant in Huntington Beach.
"I don't relish going through another hearing like this, but I'm sure we probably will," Commissioner Greg Cox said during the meeting in Newport Beach council chambers. "I have a lot more questions than I have answers now."
Commissioners voted unanimously to take action that would allow for more study on several aspects of the project.
A timeline for moving forward was unclear. Poseidon agreed to withdraw its development permit application, with the understanding that the company would resubmit it after completing more research.
Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman said she was livid about the outcome.
"It's up to the applicants to submit a complete project," she said. "And if the project wasn't complete, it should've been denied."
Poseidon Vice President Scott Maloni said he saw the vote as a "win-win."