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Kansas City Council Approves New Rules On Digital Signs, Liquor Licenses

Some digital signs will be allowed in Kansas City, Missouri residential neighborhoods under an ordinance passed Thursday. 

The battle went on for nearly two years, according to ordinance sponsor Councilman Ed Ford. Churches and schools said the new signs were modern, convenient and efficient. Homeowners worried that they could be glaring, garish and constantly changing.

Ford said the compromise ordinance allows the signs at institutions with 15-acre sights (10 acres on busy thoroughfares).

There also will be restrictions on the signs themselves.  There are standards for maximum brightness. Messages on the signs could be changed no more often than once an hour. Illuminated signs will only be allowed to be in operation in residential areas between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Institutions seeking permission for the signs will need to apply through the City Planning Commission. The Kansas City Council will have the final say on any application.

The council also approved changes to the city liquor licensing rules. 

Individual liquor cards will no longer be required for persons who only deliver, unload or stock alcoholic beverages or for volunteer servers at charity events. Ineligibility periods after most felony convictions were shortened and were eliminated for persons with possession only drug felony convictions.

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