THE REGION; Burial Site Discovery Halts Development; Seal Beach: Native American remains are found at Hellman Ranch. Builder says it's working with monitors, but one says issues are unresolved.: [HOME EDITION]

State officials have halted construction of a gated community in Seal Beach after the discovery of the remains of at least 18 Native Americans on land a local tribe considers a sacred burial ground.

The cease-and-desist order by the California Coastal Commission is the latest twist in the 21-year history of the Hellman Ranch, a 196-acre property between the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station and the San Gabriel River.

While Native American activists picketed the Heron Pointe project Monday, a representative of developer John Laing Homes said the company had reached an agreement with official representatives of the Tongva people to conduct extensive archeological testing on the site.

"John Laing Homes is sensitive to the privacy of Native American descendants, and any recovery of remains we are managing with the dignity and respect they deserve," said Joanie Madrid, Heron Pointe project manager.

The commission issued the stop-work order last month, halting the grading of pads for 70 single-family homes on 18 acres of the ranch. Peter Douglas, the commission's executive director,...