SAN DIEGO -- Expansion plans at a Catholic girls' school in North Park were rejected Tuesday by the San Diego City Council.

Officials at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, which has about 750 students, sought development permits from the city to build a two-story classroom building and a two-level parking garage.

The proposal was approved by the Planning Commission last year, but opponents appealed that decision to the City Council.

The City Council voted 5-3 to deny the necessary development permits. Council President Ben Hueso and Councilmen Kevin Faulconer and Carl DeMaio wanted the project to proceed.

Residents in North Park and University Heights vigorously opposed the project because it would lead to the demolition of three historic Spanish-style homes on the grounds of the 23-acre school campus.

The City Council put off a vote on the project in January to give both sides a chance to reach a consensus, but school administrators and opponents from the community have dug in their heals.

DeMaio and Councilman Todd Gloria both expressed disappointment that the two sides couldn't resolve their differences.

"I am disappointed that we haven't seen more progress on both sides," DeMaio said before the vote.

"My concern is the girls will be the ones to bear the brunt (of the dispute)," he said. "We have education on the line here."

Officials hinted that the dispute will likely land in court.

The Academy of Our Lady of Peace was built at its current site in the 4800 block of Oregon Street in 1925. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet founded the school in 1882 at a downtown site.