Kansas City eliminates ‘veto power’ that allows schools, churches to nix liquor sales
Kansas City schools and churches can no longer veto new liquor licenses under an ordinance the City Council passed Thursday.
Previously, bars and restaurants could not open within 300 feet of a school or church without their consent.
Now, those hoping to sell liquor will still need to get consent of the majority of surrounding property owners, but churches and schools won’t have the same outsized influence they do now.
“At one point prior to this they had somewhat veto power as to whether a … liquor store or restaurant could serve liquor within a certain distance of their church,” said Councilman Lee Barnes, 5th District at-large.
Under the new ordinance, schools and churches will have the same say that homeowners or other property owners have in whether a liquor store or bar can move in.
The council passed the rule unanimously.
Both Center and Kansas City school districts have objected to the move. At a committee meeting last month, Center spokeswoman Christina Medina urged the council to provide schools a voice in the process.
In written testimony, Kansas City Public Schools said, “Investing in our neighborhoods in ways that promote healthy environments for children and families make a difference in our schools.”
“Consequently,” the district said, “KCPS believes it is still best practice to continue to allow schools and churches to have a role in deciding what the neighborhood surrounding them looks like.”
Councilwoman Katheryn Shields, 4th District at-large, said the move was required to bring Kansas City in line with case law. She said the city was adopting the change “not because we wish to take away this right but we’re no longer legally allowed to provide it.”
In addition, the ordinance will not allow new liquor licensees to open shop within 100 feet of a school or church and would prohibit existing businesses within 300 feet from expanding to offer liquor.
