French Laundry owner slams proposed affordable housing project near restaurant

"In a news release on Tuesday, first covered by the Press Democrat, Keller and Yountville's Ranch Market owner Arik Housley said the town is moving too fast in its decision to build Yountville Commons, a mixed affordable housing and market-rate housing project, without considering its financial cost or consulting business owners and workers."

""We support workforce housing and we support the Commons," Keller said in the news release. "But housing only works if it actually works for the people who live and work here. Before Yountville commits to a project of this size and cost, it's reasonable-and responsible-to slow down and make sure the fundamentals are right.""

"Yountville Town Manager Brad Raulston told the Press Democrat this week that the town has already held 23 public meetings to gather input on the project and does not want to slow down the housing project. He told the paper that the majority of the town's workers need to commute to the wealthy community."

"Last March, Yountville city councilmembers approved conceptual planning for the mixed housing project that would demolish the former Yountville Elementary School to construct 150 workforce housing units. The school, which closed in 2020, was purchased by the city for $11 million in 2024, according to the Press Democrat. Funds for the purchase came from a 2018 ballot measure that increased lodging taxes to pay for affordable and workforce housing."

Thomas Keller and other Yountville business owners requested a pause on the Yountville Commons mixed affordable and market-rate housing project to evaluate parking, density, cost, and impacts on workers. The proposed development would demolish the former Yountville Elementary School to construct 150 workforce housing units; the city purchased the school for $11 million using lodging-tax funds approved in 2018. Business owners contend the town moved too quickly and did not sufficiently consult local businesses and employees. Town Manager Brad Raulston noted 23 public meetings have occurred and that the town prefers to proceed, citing that many workers currently commute into Yountville. Yountville has under 4,000 residents and multiple high-end dining destinations.

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