Honestly, I find the vote baffling overall. I think he wanted to appease us otherworlders instead of making any hasty actions without first seeking our consent. He needs our support more than anything.

And I think you're overselling the lack of access to magic or any jealousy it'd cause. The whole reason the city was founded here in Avalon in the first place was so people could practice magic without fear of persecution. Merlin has been pushing for better education on fae and magic, too. Yes, the fae are more powerful, but that doesn't mean Camelot is powerless.