SAN ANTONIO -- After more than three years of debates, discussions and protests, the San Antonio City Council overwhelmingly approved early Friday the building of a golf resort over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone in northern Bexar County.

The vote, which came at 12:30 a.m., followed more than six hours of public debate that featured more than 60 people speaking for and against the project.

The motion was approved by a 10-1 vote, with Councilwoman Patti Radle casting the lone dissenting vote. Radle tried to delay the vote but was defeated by an 8-3 margin.

"I think the council resoundingly said that this is the best possible action to safeguard that piece of very sensitive ground and also do a great thing for the San Antonio economy," said Bob Combs, of the PGA, following the vote. "This is a community we're very excited to be a part of."

But opponents warned the vote doesn't necessarily mean the end of the environmental fight.

"There may be a lawsuit," said Graciela Sanchez, an environmental activist. "It's not a done deal."

Council members, like Juan Castro, who were once opposed to the agreement say additional environmental protections built into the new agreement gave them the confidence to vote yes this time around.

The agreement will bring two PGA Tour golf courses, a Marriott hotel and homes appraised at $250,000 over 28-hundred acres of land in an environmentally-sensitive area.

The agreement prevents the city from annexing the land for 29 years.

The resort is expected to open by 2009.