The council voted 4-1 to ask that the item be considered at the commission's next Southern California meeting in Long Beach this June rather than the commission's scheduled April 8 meeting in Santa Barbara. In return for the council's request for a delay, Manchester now must decide quickly whether it will abandon the project or abide by any modifications suggested by the commission.

Manchester hopes to build a 400-room hotel in two 12-story towers. However, the item under consideration by the commission is a city request to change its local coastal plan to permit the closure of portions of Pacific Street, Mission Avenue and Pier View Way.

Commission staff says such closures would close off access and parking to the public.