Columbia’s student Blog, The Bwog, has an amazing play-by-play of today’s City Council Land Use Committee Meeting (including the photo of the protest outside seen here).  The Committee approved both the Community Board 9 197-A Plan and Columbia’s expansion plans.  Among the gems included in The Bwog’s recount: “Even a confused Melinda Katz–chair of the Land Use committee–concedes that it doesn’t make sense to vote on both [plans], since one supersedes the other.” and “Incisive questions asked by councilors throughout the meeting include ‘Wait, which way did Community Board 9 vote?’ and ‘What’s a 197(a) plan?'”

The full Council meeting went down in a similar fashion.  Both plans were approved, but the issue of the fact that Columbia’s plan stands in opposition to the 197-A was not addressed.  Kudos to Councilmember Charles Barron for attempting to stop the insanity (though unsuccessfully).  More specifics on the voting after the jump.

Subcommittee on Planning, Dispositions and Concessions  (chair – Garodnick):  On the 197-a plan: All 5 Approve

Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises (chair – Avella): On the 197-c or Columbia University Expansion/Rezoning: 7 Approve, 1 opposes (chair – Tony Avella), 2 Abstain (Vann and Gioia)

Full Land Use Committee (chair – Katz) *motion to delay vote, put forward by councilmember Barron: All oppose except Avella, Vann, Barron, Mendez, and Ignizio

On the 197-a plan: All Approve

On the 197-c or Columbia University Expansion/Rezoning: 19 Approve, 5 Oppose (Avella, Barron, Ignizio, Fidler, and James), 6 Abstain (Mendez, Gioia, Foster, Monserrate, Vallone, and White)