City Council - 2026-10-13 - Tuesday Agenda Revised Added S500-S505, October 13, 2026
Approves 2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update at 500 SeaWorld Drive, 8-0
What happened
San Diego City Council unanimously approved (8-0, Councilmember Moreno absent) the 2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update (PRJ-0646353) for the 189.4-acre city-owned leasehold at 500 SeaWorld Drive in Mission Bay Park, with associated General Plan and Mission Bay Park Master Plan/Local…
- Jurisdiction
- San Diego, CA
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- October 13, 2026
- Decisions
- 3 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 8-0
Free sample: decision 1 of 3
2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update at 500 SeaWorld Drive
Approved the 2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update (project 0646353) for the 189.4-acre city-leased SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park in Mission Bay Regional Park. The action adopts an addendum to the 2001 EIR and an MMRP, with corresponding amendments to the General Plan and to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan/Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan. The plan shifts from site-specific to area-specific development criteria across five planning areas, with no new development or footprint change. It adds multimodal, sustainability, and sea-level-rise provisions. The Coastal Commission retains final approval. Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval, with a provision to phase out fireworks within five years if drones are permitted; staff did not incorporate that language. Council's amendment caps fireworks at 60 per year, and at no more than 30 per year if drone shows proceed, and updates drone CDP history (CDP 6-26-0102). Economic Development confirmed SeaWorld is current on its lease. Vote 8-0, Moreno absent.
- Fireworks displays not to exceed 60 per year
- If Coastal Commission or other body approves drones and SeaWorld proceeds with drone shows, no more than 30 fireworks displays per year in addition to drone shows
- Mitigation for air quality, biological resources, energy, geology/soils, neighborhood character/aesthetics, noise and water conservation carried forward
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
San Diego City Council unanimously approved (8-0, Councilmember Moreno absent) the 2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update (PRJ-0646353) for the 189.4-acre city-owned leasehold at 500 SeaWorld Drive in Mission Bay Park, with associated General Plan and Mission Bay Park Master Plan/Local…
Key Decisions (3)
2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update at 500 SeaWorld Drive
Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance amendments (wage theft)
Consent agenda: Claremont underground utility district hearing, Boot World contract, Cultural Affairs consolidation
Development Activity (1)
2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update
Commercial
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
Public speakers repeatedly flagged sea-level-rise flooding and saltwater corrosion on…
Housing Demand
Midway Rising lease action is expected Friday, and opponents criticized…
Infrastructure
A proposed Claremont utility undergrounding district heads to a public…
Commercial Demand
SeaWorld, the city's largest lessee, is current on rent again…
Who Spoke (20)
On the record: the chair, 4 councilmembers, a staff member, the clerk, the applicant, and 4 members of the public.
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