COOS BAY - Developers who’d like to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on Coos Bay’s North Spit have pushed back plans to start construction until spring 2011.

The change in plans has led to an extension of land-purchase deals on the North Spit.

Oregon International Port of Coos Bay commissioners agreed Friday to extend their three-way purchase option for 1,300 acres of Weyerhaeuser Co. land with Jordan Cove Energy Project. They also tentatively approved an 18-month extension that would keep the option good through the middle of 2011. Port staff plan to present a final deal at the commissioners’ Nov. 19 meeting.

The parties previously extended the contract by a year twice, but developers need more time, said Bob Braddock, Jordan Cove’s project manager. The LNG company now intends to make a final investment decision in fall 2010. If it chooses to proceed, it would close on the land deal in late spring 2011 and start construction immediately.

The global economic slow-down brought the delay, though LNG suppliers have told Braddock they will want a West Coast terminal by fall 2014. Jordan Cove has said it will take about three and a half years to build the terminal.

“We want to meet that in-service day,” he said.

The 18-month extension would not change the basic principles of the agreement, but it would alter loan payment arrangements.

Umpqua Bank, which holds one of the port’s loans, will opt out of the agreement, with Weyerhaeuser essentially taking over the $10 million note to the port. Jordan Cove will pay the port $165,000 a month, for the agency to pay interest on the $10 million loan and a $15 million loan from the state, covering the rest of the purchase price.

The port will pay $60,000 a month to Weyerhaeuser, with half of those funds going toward the land purchase price.

“We are establishing equity,” said Martin Callery, director of communications for the port.

The new deal also would allow the state to get back its $15 million by December 2011, instead of June 2012.

The full board of commissioners voted in favor of the extension, though seven audience members were not happy with the ruling.

Jody McCaffree, an anti-LNG activist from North Bend, argued that the port was providing too much authority to Jordan Cove and urged it to seek a new appraisal of the land. McCaffree contends the land isn’t worth $25 million.

Coos County resident Mary Margaret Muenchrath said the commissioners weren’t doing justice for those they represent.

“I don’t understand what you are thinking,” she said. “You are not thinking about this area.”

The only commissioner to speak was Chairman David Kronsteiner, who thanked the women for their comments, as well as port staff for negotiating the deal.

“You did an exceptional job of bringing this together,” he said. “You took risk away from the port and made it into a better deal. Thank you.”