Asheville Occupy agreed to accept an offer from the city to camp in one of its parking lots, located under the I-240 overpass at the Merrimon Avenue exit. Negotiations are still underway, but Occupy would like to have the space for a year with all fees waived. The land is owned by the city due to an encroachment agreement with the NCDOT. The city is losing $225 in potential parking fees, and it has provided port-a-potties. It claims it is unable to provide the necessary barricades. This is well and good, as I hear the 99% are in agreement; but one concern was raised in a staff report provided with the current city council agenda:

The City of Asheville has permitted temporary use special events on occasion, however, none for the expressed use as outlined herein, and none for the potential duration of time as indicated by the event organizer. As result, the local office of the Department of Transportation has contacted the City and expressed concern that the permitted use of this public space does not keep in the spirit and intent of the agreement as outlined. Further, DOT staff indicated that if the City permits this space for long term use in this manner, DOT will review this issue with DOT in Raleigh and ask for guidance accordingly.