The agency, which oversees development along the state's coastline, voted eight-to-four against approving zoning changes that would have allowed the Pebble Beach Co. to build an 18-hole golf course, driving range and rental cottages next to some of the world's most famous golf courses on California's Central Coast.

"This is the most egregious example of development attempting to circumvent the Coastal Act that I can remember," said Commissioner Sarah Wan, who voted against it.

The plan faced opposition from environmentalists who claim the project will threaten sensitive coastal habitats and endangered species .

The plan would affect more than 100 acres of undeveloped land in the Del Monte Forest, and environmentalists say it would jeopardize one of five remaining stands of old-growth Monterey pines in the world.

In addition to the old-growth forest, opponents say the development would also threaten California red-legged frog and the endangered Yadon's piperia, an orchid.

The company, whose co-owners include Eastwood, golf legend Arnold Palmer and former Major League Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, already owns four golf courses at Pebble Beach.

The current proposal dates to the early 1990s, according to a recent Coastal Commission report. Eastwood was involved in scaling back the project when he and other investors bought the company in 1999, Lombardo said.