ORDINANCE NO. 260262
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Sponsor: Mayor Quinton Lucas
Declaring a moratorium until January 15, 2031, on all City approvals for detention facilities, to evaluate the effectiveness of the regional criminal justice ecosystem, and re-evaluate the approval process for detention facilities.
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WHEREAS, Kansas City is currently developing new facilities to effectuate criminal justice goals safely, efficiently, and effectively; and
WHEREAS, a period of time to evaluate the effectiveness of these facilities without the introduction of new similar facilities is necessary to accurately determine whether the City needs more or different facilities; and
WHEREAS, detention facilities planned for development in Kansas City must currently be approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment; and
WHEREAS, the existence and operation of detention facilities significantly impact the health, safety, happiness, and general well-being of residents surrounding such facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Council is considering whether the approval of the construction or expansion of detention facilities should be determined by the Council rather than an unelected body; and
WHEREAS, pausing the approval process for the construction or expansion of non-municipal detention facilities is necessary while re-evaluating this approval process; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the Mayor and Council hereby declare that there is a moratorium on the issuance of permits, licenses, zoning, and any other approvals allowing the acquisition, construction, facilitation, operation, or expansion of an existing project or initiation of a new project when the application for such approvals was filed on or after January 15, 2026, and where the subject matter of the project is for any purpose relating or incidental to detention, corrections, or other carceral activities, with exceptions for any project deemed necessary by the Council via resolution or ordinance.
Section 2. This moratorium shall remain until January 15, 2031.
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Approved as to form:
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Sarah Baxter
Senior Associate City Attorney