Measure H: A nail-biter in Beverly Hills

In an unexpected twist, results showed that Measure H was defeated by a slim 68-vote margin in Beverly Hills.

The measure would have amended the city's general plan to allow the Beverly Hilton to build a 12-story Waldorf-Astoria hotel and two luxury condo towers at its site at Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. The Hilton and its owner, Beny Alagem, spent an estimated $3 million on a nearly yearlong campaign to win voter support.

Los Angeles County results, with all 23 precincts reporting, showed a vote of 6,326 to 6,258. Alagem was not yet admitting defeat, however. "We're waiting for every vote to be counted," said Marie Garvey, a Hilton spokeswoman. She said some absentee and provisional ballots had yet to be processed.

-- Martha Groves

Photo: Los Angeles Times