He believes it needs more time to develop.
Thomas Keller, the renowned chef behind the iconic French Laundry restaurant, is suggesting that plans for affordable housing in Wine Country should be delayed.
Keller, along with Arik Housley, who owns Yountville Ranch Market, emphasized the importance of engaging with Napa County’s wealthier neighborhoods before advancing potential $60 million projects, as highlighted in a recent statement.
“Housing only works if it is genuinely beneficial for the residents and workers here,” Keller noted in the release. “It’s wise and sensible for Yountville to pause and ensure everything is in order before undertaking a project of this scale.”
Wealthy Yountville is the hometown of Keller’s acclaimed three-Michelin-starred establishment, The French Laundry.
His plea to further assess the proposed Yountville Commons project comes just before a Town Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
This housing initiative aims to provide 120 to 150 rental units on the site of a former elementary school.
Town Manager Brad Raulston mentioned to the Press-Democrat that officials have conducted nearly 20 meetings over the last couple of years as this project has evolved.
“After 23 public meetings, key elements like unit structure are still under intense review, but we think the best course is to keep progressing rather than disrupt the transparent process we’ve established,” Raulston stated to the paper.
“The Town will keep listening to the community as decisions on funding and development phases are made by elected representatives aligned with established priorities, plans, and voter mandates.”
Raulston did not provide further comments when contacted.
Keller and Housley’s statement raised issues regarding the proportion of studio units in the current plans, criticizing the “studio-centric, dormitory-style” design as inappropriate for workers.
They also expressed reservations about the developer, Yountville Corp., especially given the project’s estimated cost of between $40 million and $60 million.
“It’s crucial that we fully grasp the financial implications before moving forward,” Housley was quoted as saying.
