A deal between the city and Occupy Asheville? Maybe.

At the longest Asheville City Council meeting in recent years, the debate over the Occupy Asheville encampment was front and center. Motions both to create a permitting process for the camp and to ban it outright failed narrowly. In the end, Council agreed to put a resolution opposing corporate personhood on the Feb. 14 agenda, alongside a motion to give campers a deadline to leave. But, there will be porta-johns.

Council member Gordon Smith had proposed a permitting process for the campers as an alternative to an outright ban proposed by city staff. But Occupy Asheville opposed the move, viewing the encampment as part of free assembly, and claiming they shouldn’t have to pay to camp in front of City Hall. Council too, for differing reasons, couldn’t muster a majority behind the permits, with the move failing 3-4, as just Smith, along with Council members Chris Pelly and Marc Hunt, supported the move.

Council member Esther Manheimer then moved to extend the boundaries of the neighboring Pack Square Park to cover the narrow strip of land containing the protesters’ encampment, beginning Feb. 1. As the park has a 10 p.m. curfew, this would mean the end of the camp. This too failed, as only Mayor Terry Bellamy and Council member Jan Davis joined Manheimer in support, falling shy of the four votes needed for passage.

This impasse led to an extended discussion over a possible compromise, as Bothwell and Smith brought suggested a draft resolution announcing Council’s support of a resolution condemning corporate personhood, a goal supported by some in the Occupy movement. If Council adopted such a resolution, the members wondered, would Occupy Asheville voluntarily leave camp?

The Occupy members at the meeting — some of whom expressed a desire to “most past” debates over the camp — were open to the idea, but noted that they’d need to seek consensus from Occupy Asheville’s coordinating council and general assembly. A proposal to give the campers until Feb. 14 to vacate also failed, as some Council members observed that it would be “coercive” to put such a deadline in place while seeking a compromise.

In the end, Council agreed to put a deadline for the campers on the agenda for the Feb. 14 meeting, along with the resolution against corporate personhood. Another vote, 6-1, approved porta-johns on the current campsite until the next Council meeting, with only Smith opposing, asserting he felt the move was a step towards banning the camp.

In other action, Council:

• Saw the developer of the proposed 92-unit White Oak Grove Apartments in West Asheville withdraw their application after it was clear a majority of Council members wouldn’t support the project, citing concerns about traffic and scale, along with opposition from the surrounding neighborhood.

• Unanimously approved new rules allowing pushcarts on city streets to operate later, but requiring them to be on the street more frequently to maintain their permits.

• Decided to hold its annual retreat Feb. 3 at UNCA’s Sherrill Center, starting at 9 a.m.

Photo by Bill Rhodes

Dispatches via Twitter during the meeting:

3:55 P.M. RT @DavidForbes: #OccupyAsheville will oppose city’s proposed permitting process for encampment http://t.co/7W8Ol54U

4:14 P.M. RT @mxnews: Asheville City Council preview: Camped out http://t.co/nYShoeSy

4:14 P.M. Asheville City Council preview: Camped out http://t.co/g50OkXsJ

4:22 P.M. RT @mxnews: Asheville City Council preview: Camped out http://t.co/fUHc2o3O

4:58 P.M. City Atty Bob Oast: will recommend that if Council passes permit process for #occupyasheville-style camps, delay in enforcing

4:59 P.M. Oast: Delay would give staff time to get details straight, #occupyasheville time to decide how they’ll react

5:00 P.M. Asheville City Council meeting about to begin. Follow #avlgov for all the fun.

5:04 P.M. Meeting’s begun, Council memberber Esther Manheimer reading Langston Hughes’ “Let America be America again” as invocation

5:07 P.M. Proclamation for Black History Month

5:10 P.M. Onto consent agenda. Mayor Terry Bellamy asks for further discussion of speed limit changes on some city streets

5:12 P.M. City traffic engineer: We’ve studied the areas and feel the new speed limits are necessary

5:18 P.M. Consent agenda passes unanimously. Council will have annual retreat Feb. 3 at UNCA’s Sherrill Center

5:20 P.M. Al Whitesides giving presentation on minority business capital alliance report. Asheville has lower-than-avg # of minority biz

5:22 P.M. Whitesides: Need to survey existing minority biz, use them as models. We found lack of credit, collateral big issue

5:23 P.M. Whitesides suggests minority biz center in YMI Cultural Center to offer loans, training

5:25 P.M. Whitesides: Job placement will focus on sustainable fields, construction. Requesting $79,100 to fundraise for program

5:28 P.M. Whitesides: Other communities more succesful in developing minority biz. “No excuse” for Asheville not to do better

5:29 P.M. Oast wants chance to review minority biz center proposal.

5:30 P.M. Council member Jan Davis: At HCD committee, “enthusiastic” about this, have fairly limited ways to help, want to move fwd

5:31 P.M. Council member Gordon Smith: A lot of diff views. Consensus wasn’t achieved w/in groups

5:32 P.M. Bellamy: There was 100% consensus on minority biz center

5:32 P.M. Smith: Want to see “all the groups singing from the same songbook”

5:34 P.M. Whitesides: Who better to tell you how to deal w prob than exp African-American leaders “we’ve walked the walk, talked the talk.”

5:35 P.M. Whitesides: I’ve been back in Asheville 40 years, never seen this issue get more than lip service

5:36 P.M. Whitesides: Happy to offer my services for free, volunteer on this, I’ve made enough $ to support my family

5:41 P.M. Martha Walker-McGlohon, asst city attorney: We can give legal review, send to Council’s Housing/Comm Development Committee

5:45 P.M. Council sends minority business report proposals to HDC committee

5:46 P.M. Next up: Council considering White Oak Grove Apartments, 92-units in S. Asheville

5:48 P.M. Apartments are located on bus line, 10% qualify as affordable, buildings will be EnergyStar.

5:50 P.M. Bob Grassle, partner in development: We’ve developed this to address concerns, reduced size, scale

5:53 P.M. Jay Marlowe: Surrounding biz, church, prop owners opposed to project. Will add too much traffic

5:54 P.M. Marlowe: No buildings in the area that are more than two stories. Don’t need to break zoning rules.

5:56 P.M. Ah, it is. My mistake re: White Oak Grove RT @matcatastrophe: @DavidForbes I thought that was W. Asheville

5:58 P.M. Next speaker compares property owners to Occupy Wall Street, says fighting against developer. “This type of housing isn’t right”

5:59 P.M. Last speaker was Mike Newman, neighbor of project site

6:02 P.M. Mark Teague, traffic engineer: Studies show most of time traffic won’t contribute to probs in area

6:04 P.M. Steve Rasmussen wondering if petition is valid protest petition, meaning project would need super-majority

6:04 P.M. Teague: Bus route could further reduce traffic

6:08 P.M. Valerie Martin, area resident: thought developer was going to sell as approved project. Developer denies.

6:11 P.M. Oast: Even if property’s sold, has to be developed on approved site plan

6:11 P.M. Public hearing over. Oast: community’s petition doesn’t qualify as a valid protest petition.

6:16 P.M. Smith asking if any plans to improve or widen Hazel Mill Road. Staff: No plans at the moment.

6:18 P.M. Council member Marc Hunt asking about staff’s appraisal of traffic situation. Jeff Moore: level of service will remain acceptable

6:19 P.M. Council member Chris Pelly: Development’s got a lot of good qualities, is the project under option? Grassle: We’re the owners

6:20 P.M. Grassle: There’s a need for apartments. This is less than 5 minutes from downtown, tried to make proper concessions

6:22 P.M. Grassle: Doing pro forma on rental rates, haven’t set yet.

6:22 P.M. Pelly: What’s the back-up plan if zoning doesn’t pass? Grassle: There isn’t one.

6:23 P.M. Bothwell: Uncomfortable changing rules on neighbors, have to vote against. Pelly agrees, “it’s really a shame”

6:24 P.M. Hunt: Have severe lack of affordable housing in general, this is smart growth. Makes motion to approve.

6:25 P.M. Smith seconds, notes “this is a difficult one” but wants to avoid sprawl, need affordable homes.

6:26 P.M. Smith: If Council wants smart growth, needs to stick to principles.

6:28 P.M. Davis: Know Grassle to be a good developer, conscious of surroundings. But does seem burdensome on road

6:30 P.M. Davis: I understand neighborhood’s concerns, but zoning doesn’t always protect, don’t think it’s as obnoxious as some say

6:32 P.M. Bellamy: Bulk and scale of development is out of scale. 70 units maybe.

6:33 P.M. Staff: this went to planning and zoning three times, developer reduced number of units

6:34 P.M. Bellamy: Know we want to have affordable housing, but we want neighbors to want it or might get more opposition in future

6:35 P.M. Davis changing position to against project, thinks Bellamy “made some very good points”

6:36 P.M. Manheimer curious if developer wants chance to withdraw, give opp to retool.

6:37 P.M. Grassle: We’ll withdraw, see if we can reduce anymore. But the more we reduce, the more rents go up

6:38 P.M. Manheimer: Tough choice, this meets a lot of our goals. Disappointed to see limits of our policy

6:39 P.M. Hunt: Would like to see more about numbers for rent rates.

6:41 P.M. Bellamy: At least have to have some buy-in from neighbors on projects like this. Let’s look at parking requirements

6:42 P.M. Bellamy: Seem like density, parking requirements are in conflict, need to revisit. Smith agrees.

6:45 P.M. Council moving to rezoning property on Schenck Parkway to Hwy biz district

6:47 P.M. Zoning change approved unanimously

6:48 P.M. Next up: rezoning property on Gerber Road to comm business district

6:57 P.M. Property is site of proposed urban village that failed during economic downturn. Rezoning passes unanimously.

6:58 P.M. Council going into closed session to discuss Biltmore Annexation lawsuit, poss econ development incentives

7:31 P.M. Council’s back. Next up: permitting process for #occupyasheville encampment

7:33 P.M. Building Safety Director Robert Griffin: Ordinance seeks to preserve safety, protect free speech

7:35 P.M. Proposal: 14-day permits costing ~$18 for individual campers involved in political actions like #occupyasheville

7:38 P.M. Permits allow porta-johns, currently not allowed at #occupyasheville camp under existing rules for $3.30/permit

7:42 P.M. Oast: Proposal also designates whole city-council plaza area as park w areas in front of Vance Monument, City Hall as public forums

7:44 P.M. Protests in public forums would be exempt from park’s normal 10pm curfew

7:46 P.M. Oast: These ordinances are constitutional, narrowly drawn to protect city interest in making sure park is accessible

7:50 P.M. Bothwell: Are we going to send police around to check in tents for permits? Griffin: Give out tags can be attached to tents

7:51 P.M. Griffin: Can be more than one person in tent. If so, only one has to pay porta-john fee

7:53 P.M. Hunt: This has been an interesting, challenging issue. Important to preserve right to free speech.

7:54 P.M. Hunt: 24/7 encampments unique to Occupy movement. Concerned that the way camp has contended w city hasn’t advanced its goals

7:55 P.M. Smith concerned about limit on number of permits per year (4 max, only 28 days max consecutively) “seems arbitrary”

7:56 P.M. Smith: Purpose seems to be to make sure ppl aren’t using ordinance for something other than free speech

7:58 P.M. Smith proposes “2 on, 1 off” max 28 days at once, then 14-day break before camping again.

8:00 P.M. Camper: City should provide porta-john, we keep site clean.

8:00 P.M. Camper: “Seems we have a right to be there no matter how much costs, how much you want to get us off, how much of an eyesore”

8:03 P.M. Next speaker, Tim: This is a blanket prohibition on sleeping on city property. “Smashing a fly with atomic bomb”

8:05 P.M. Steve Rasmussen: Support idea of designated public fee, concerned permit fees set precedent of “pay to protest”

8:06 P.M. Rasmussen: Parks and rec has program where non-profits could avoid fees by volunteer work. Consider that.

8:07 P.M. Rasmussen concerned storage ban is too broad

8:09 P.M. Alan Ditmore comparing to MLK’s poor people’s campaign, Bonus Army camp “part of an ongoing struggle”

8:12 P.M. Naomi Archer, #occupyasheville spokesperson: “This is ridiculous” facing backdoor attempt to remove our free expression

8:13 P.M. Archer: Look at US Cellular deal for contrast. “For democracy to work, must be no constraints to speech, info.”

8:14 P.M. Bob Sanal: I don’t consider myself an American citizen if you pass this camping ordinance.

8:18 P.M. Fred English: Couldn’t find anywhere in constitution where it said there’s a right to free camping on city property

8:20 P.M. John Spitzberg, Asheville Homeless Network: We rep bottom of 99%, this will only serve to disenfranchise homeless.

8:21 P.M. Spitzberg: #occupyasheville camp allows homeless to grow. Laws in Asheville give homeless no protection.

8:22 P.M. Spitzberg: Permit process doesn’t work for homeless, they have no money.

8:24 P.M. Spitzberg: Withdraw anything that would cause this occupation to close down

8:25 P.M. Spitzberg: Smith doesn’t want to ask taxpayers to subsidize Occupy. Did he ask taxpayers if they wanted to pay for US Cell sign?

8:27 P.M. Kayvon Kazemini: Ordinances passed in Charlotte similar to this, Wilmington proposed restriction on assembly.

8:28 P.M. Kazemini: Vance monument already public right of way, not a park, insulting to make it a forum.

8:29 P.M. Kazemini: Start working alongside #occupyasheville to address foreclosures, corp personhood

8:31 P.M. Charles Rawls: Wondering about designating new areas as part of park.

8:36 P.M. Victor Ochoa asking Bellamy: Do you support any aspect of the Occupy movement? Bellamy won’t comment.

8:37 P.M. Ochoa: We support some things you do, like fighting against privatization of city’s water system.

8:38 P.M. Ochoa, like a number of speakers, asserting permit proposal contrasts w US Cellular naming deal.

8:40 P.M. Scott Owen: Ordinances not about Occupy, about free speech.

8:42 P.M. Owen: Hope if you pass ordinances, rest of Asheville will be out here tomorrow. Why do you want to chip away at rights?

8:43 P.M. Ron Wilco, wearing green wig: Not free speech if we have to pay for porta-johns

8:44 P.M. Timothy: You have a difficult job, because you don’t have the tools to deal with this. Make permits free.

8:45 P.M. Timothy: The permits are an attempt to destroy #occupyasheville

8:48 P.M. Older man: Tents are a symbol of #occupyasheville. Afraid next movement won’t be peaceful like this one

8:51 P.M. Samuel Vermont, camped there for 5 days: Have a hard time equating it to picketing. Believe in false flags/CIA activities

8:53 P.M. Vermont: Know who’s behind this, compares to 1932 Germany. These laws are from ALEC

8:54 P.M. Paul Swack: People participating is going to make the old way obsolete. Earth is abundant.

8:56 P.M. Public comment over. Council asking questions of staff

8:57 P.M. Oast: Definition of camping drawn from Clark v. Comm for Creative non-violence case

8:59 P.M. Bellamy: Support parts of Occupy involve looking at ways to get wealth to more people. Don’t support Citizens United.

9:00 P.M. Oast: Under this rule, you can still sleep on sidewalk if you aren’t blocking it. That hasn’t changed.

9:01 P.M. Manheimer: Do any other NC cities have a designated camp area? Oast: Probably not of this nature.

9:02 P.M. Manheimer: Fact we have campground “seems strange to me.”

9:03 P.M. Bellamy: Not going to support. Not in favor of camping, but let’s say “camp or don’t camp” not charge for permits

9:04 P.M. Bellamy: Issue is the tents, doesn’t feel right to charge people. “Let’s not string ppl along”

9:04 P.M. Bellamy: With this ordinance, saying “if you can pay you can camp” don’t support charging, hurts homeless.

9:06 P.M. Oast: Our intent in making it part of park was to remove “no man’s land” status of site of #occupyasheville camp

9:07 P.M. Davis: Not going to support the motion either, asks to read e-mail.

9:08 P.M. Davis reading e-mail from Steve Coleman, owner of Pack’s Tavern: allowing camping there is unacceptable.

9:09 P.M. Davis, reading e-mail: Camp is “eyesore, shantytown” put compost pile on tavern’s property, using alleyway.

9:10 P.M. Davis, reading e-mail, (correction: from Tom Israel): People won’t feel safe with camp.

9:11 P.M. Manheimer: understand what ordinances are trying to achieve, not sure it’s wise to designate a permanent campground on park

9:12 P.M. Smith: Alternatives presented to us were to move it elsewhere, ban. This an acknowledgement that it’s there.

9:12 P.M. Smith, who helped draft ordinance: Camp didn’t work under Lex Ave overpass, this ended up as spot.

9:14 P.M. Smith: Also recognizing concerns from #occupyasheville campers about people there to take advantage of camp

9:14 P.M. Smith: Disingenuous to pretend issues, incl w violence, haven’t happened.

9:16 P.M. Smith: Absurd to say any of us against free speech, tyrants. “This is 7 ppl trying to react to evolving situation”

9:17 P.M. Bothwell: Outspoken in support of Occupy. “Kind of sad, difficult” that Council, #occupyasheville had to focus on this.

9:18 P.M. Bothwell: We could have focused on living wage, moving city’s $ to local banks.

9:19 P.M. Bothwell: “Hope Occupy will move on” from fighting to stay in a place.

9:20 P.M. Bothwell: Want to see Occupy go on past fighting City Council, understood why permits, but can’t support cost

9:21 P.M. Davis: “It’s not a camping ground.” Starts to make motion before Bellamy reminds him there’s one on table

9:22 P.M. Hunt withdraws motion to support camping permits. Smith: “Ok, what’s plan B?”

9:24 P.M. Manheimer: We have water system fight, our staff need to sleep. This is the 5th time this has been before us.

9:25 P.M. Manheimer moves to extend park limits to #occupyasheville, would subject it to 10pm curfew, ban camp outright.

9:26 P.M. Rev. Chris Chiaromonte, homeless street preacher asking Council to delay so he can come up w solution, boos from audience

9:27 P.M. Archer: If you pass this ban, direct APD to give #occupyasheville time to break camp if they wish

9:27 P.M. Naomi Archer: Obviously disagree w this move. Want Vance monument left exempt from curfew, we’ve had arrests there.

9:28 P.M. Archer: If there’s violence at #occupyasheville, will spend every waking moment making sure ppl know what happened

9:29 P.M. Rasmussen: “Exactly what I’d hoped to avoid” too much rancor building up, if you do this will be a battle.

9:31 P.M. Ryan Alice: Just got back from #occupyDC, they allow sleeping in more places. That might be solution.

9:31 P.M. Rasmussen: Ironic Tom Israel is against this when he wanted to build condos on the site. Don’t pass this because you’re tired.

9:33 P.M. Nathan Sears: Main concern for safety at #occupyasheville camp is people that drive by and throw things at us

9:34 P.M. John Oberman: Never seen anything go wrong at #occupyasheville camp, let’s come together and compromise.

9:38 P.M. Next speaker, Igloo: Seek a world free of oppression. This ordinance is oppression.

9:39 P.M. Ochoa: Agree w Bothwell there are bigger issues. Maybe we can reach a compromise, table this until next time.

9:40 P.M. Ochoa: Do want to go through with this, go ahead, but we should work together.

9:41 P.M. Kazemini warning Council that when Occupy Nashville faced similar ban, resulted in lawsuit.

9:42 P.M. Another call to table motion. This speaker thinks compromise could result, “peace treaty” between city, #occupyasheville

9:46 P.M. Manheimer revising proposa,l adding Feb. 1 departure date for #occupyasheville camp.

9:47 P.M. Hunt calling for extending to next meeting “for more thorough thought.” Asks #occupyasheville to consider where “focus should be.”

9:48 P.M. Smith: “Appreciate people talking compromise now that the compromise is off the table” Against banning camp

9:49 P.M. Motion to give #occupyasheville until Feb. 1 to leave fails 4-3. Davis, Manheimer, Bellamy for.

9:50 P.M. Manheimer: This has come back to us 5 times, need to move on. Smith: “Frustrated,” tried to bring forward deal.

9:51 P.M. Hunt: Not eager to have staff research another set of options. Extension to next mtg give time for Occupy, Council to think

9:52 P.M. Next Council meeting Feb. 14. Bellamy: need to direct staff, they’re looking to us for leadership

9:53 P.M. Smith: “Let me offer another possibility” Just want to make it a free camp? Don’t see many other options.

9:55 P.M. Hunt: Arrangement drafted tonight did allow extended permitted camping, uncomfortable w simply allowing it w/out limits

9:56 P.M. Hunt: “Clear ability to come up w creative options limited” current situation unsustainable. 3 weeks enough time to consider.

9:59 P.M. Talking about public forum spots.

10:01 P.M. Manheimer: Compromise is 24-hour protest allowed in front of Vance Monument, City Hall, but no camping

10:02 P.M. Bothwell wondering if Council backed end of corporate personhood, #occupyasheville might decamp.

10:03 P.M. Smith: “It’s already in the works” Bothwell, Pelly agreed to co-sponsor Council endorsement of Move to Amend.

10:04 P.M. Bothwell: Hope #occupyasheville will go to GA, see city can’t change $ system.

10:05 P.M. Bothwell to #occupyasheville: “You’re butting your head against City Hall when the problem’s in Washington”

10:06 P.M. Bellamy: Staff needs a decision tonight. “We’ve got to have something.” Pelly: 3-week permit for porta-johns?

10:07 P.M. Bothwell moves to endorse Move to Amend to end corporate personhood. Smith seconds.

10:07 P.M. Manheimer: Why don’t we just offer the compromise? Smith: Presumptuous to assume ppl here rep #occupyasheville

10:08 P.M. Next speaker: Appreciate sentiment, but asking us to move from camp doesn’t feel like compromise

10:09 P.M. Hunt putting iPad w words of Move to Amend resolution up on overhead.

10:10 P.M. Catherine Bliss: Deep desire on part of Council to figure something out that works for everybody, common ground w #occupyasheville

10:11 P.M. Bliss: But go sleep on it, don’t want this cobbled together.

10:12 P.M. Spitzberg: In interim city needs to spend some $ on a porta-john.

10:14 P.M. Elizabeth Goyer: Think this is really beautiful. Diff to come to decision, we can’t speak for #occupyasheville

10:14 P.M. Robert Ogsden: Seems camp is obviously dissolving on own, but think taking this deal is right move.

10:15 P.M. Goyer: Want to take this to #occupyasheville’s coordinating council.

10:16 P.M. Bothwell: At least 3 behind this, hope #occupyasheville will consider, let’s not talk about camping again and again

10:16 P.M. Smith withdraws second, Bothwell withdraws motion.

10:18 P.M. Pelly wondering if can shift Manheimer’s move to extend park borders to take in #occupyasheville camp (and thus ban it) to Feb. 14

10:19 P.M. Manheimer makes motion again, would end #occupyasheville camp Feb. 14

10:20 P.M. Archer: This is saying “let’s come to a compromise, but leave anyway” Let #occupyasheville come up w win-win.

10:21 P.M. Don Willenfeld: Look for middle ground. Democracy is shoddy, it’s not a quick process, have a retreat coming up.

10:22 P.M. Timothy Blessington: Thanks for putting up with us, let us have time to regroup in GA, coord councils.

10:27 P.M. Hunt: motion as it’s framed (Feb. 14 deadline) along w motion on corporate personhood “good enough for me”

10:28 P.M. The #SOTU address has ended, but the meeting over at Asheville City Council is still going. Follow #avlgov and @DavidForbes for more info.
10:28 P.M. Davis: Don’t have prob w corporate personhood amendment. “We’re looking for an end” 3 weeks w same problems.

10:30 P.M. Archer holding up sign saying “3 weeks.” Bothwell: can’t negotiate under coercive deadline, let’s just delay.

10:33 P.M. Manheimer’s motion is for 24-hr public forums (no camping) and 6eb. 14 deadline for #occupyasheville camp

10:34 P.M. Hunt: Agree w Bothwell that passing that motion tonight to be coercive.

10:36 P.M. Hunt: “Too rushed to decide tonight” Likely to support motion similar to Manheimer’s on Feb. 14, but not before.

10:38 P.M. Bothwell makes motion to support porta-john provided by Western Labor Council on site. Pelly seconds.

10:38 P.M. Pelly: I can wait 3 weeks, but will support same motion (end to camping) then.

10:40 P.M. Speaker thanking city, decency of porta-johns “monumental at this point, kind of sad, but that’s how it is.”

10:41 P.M. Kazemini: Hate that we’re stuck on this. We will provide the porta-johns.

10:43 P.M. Asst City Mgr Jeff Richardson: If Council approves, want to meet w #occupyasheville tomorrow. Area is saturated.

10:44 P.M. Bellamy: Need a spokesperson to talk to Griffin about porta-johns. Kazemini’s designated.

10:46 P.M. Bellamy: #occupyasheville is asking for us to delay, we need something back in writing. “Can’t go on every week.”

10:48 P.M. Archer: We’ll be able to provide something back from #occupyasheville next Tues.

10:49 P.M. Porta-johns for #occupyasheville pass 6-1, Smith against, “feel like this is leading to future ban”

10:51 P.M. So Council will vote on supporting Move to Amend Feb. 14 in return for resolution from #occupyasheville on camp

10:52 P.M. That’s the summation of roughly 3 1/2 hours of debate, discussion. Now onto annexation plans

10:52 P.M. On Feb. 14, Council will also vote on deadline for #occupyasheville camp. Until then, camp can have porta-johns.

10:53 P.M. Planner Blake Esselton: No annexations on deck for 2012. Statutes require more advertising, resolutions of intent.

10:55 P.M. I might run out of battery before end of Council meeting. If so, will sum up action after

11:00 P.M. Council unanimously approves scaled-down annexation maps

11:01 P.M. Next up: rules allowing pushcarts later hours of operation, easier permits

11:05 P.M. New pushcart rules pass unanimously. Manheimer: Feel like we’d vote to invade at this point.

11:07 P.M. Public comment. Ditmore: Near unanimous opposition is right to assume for any smart growth project.

11:08 P.M. Ditmore: Smart growth isn’t going to happen unless it’s in spite of neighborhoods

11:09 P.M. Meeting adjourned