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Conceding defeat but not defeated themselves, opponents of Proposition D vow to keep a close eye on SeaWorld and what pops up from its site.
Voting results from the county registrar of voters' office showed the SeaWorld height exemption passed with 50.7 percent of the vote, or 153,714 votes.
The final numbers had been withheld until absentee ballots could be verified and counted. The numbers will be "certified final" by state officials in Sacramento in two weeks. That certification is not expected to change the results.
The measure's passing means SeaWorld can now replace existing structures on its property that are more than 30 feet high, as well as build new structures up to 160 feet.
"We're thrilled and delighted that the majority of San Diego is giving us the opportunity to bring forward projects to move SeaWorld into the new millennium," said Bill Davis, the park's general manager. "We're absolutely delighted."
While the vote may have been in SeaWorld's favor, opponents say the fight is far from over.
"I think you're (still) going to see a lot of opposition, especially from people who have lived here for 20 or 30 or...