The theme park needs the approval of the Coastal Commission to move forward on its ten-year improvement plan. Among other things, SeaWorld wants to develop a 95-foot-tall roller coaster and a three-story educational center.
The San Diego City Council voted 8-1 in favor of the redevelopment plan last year, a year after voters narrowly approved a ballot measure to allow SeaWorld to exceed a building height limit of 30 feet.
The commission, however, has said the plans would be rejected without significant changes are made to the plan, according to state officials.
Theme park officials say the changes spell a virtual construction ban at Mission Bay Park. SeaWorld General Manager Dennis Burks said the new requirements would be "a devastating blow to our business." A hearing on the initial phase is scheduled before the commission on Feb. 7.
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