Californians Resist State's Push for Denser Housing

Wealthy Yountville residents fight 'workforce housing' project over density and costs

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The California state government, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, is pushing for more dense, urban housing near mass transit, but many Californians, including wealthy residents in Yountville, are resisting these efforts. Prominent chef Thomas Keller, owner of the French Laundry restaurant, is leading the charge against a proposed 'workforce housing' project in Yountville that would include small studio apartments as small as 300 square feet. Residents argue the dense housing does not fit the character of their community and would create issues like lack of parking. The state claims it is addressing a housing shortage, but critics say the left's 'fantasy' of packing people into cramped urban buildings is not feasible for many Californians who prefer single-family homes.

Why it matters

This clash over housing policy highlights the ongoing tensions between the state government's vision for more dense, transit-oriented development and the preferences of many Californians, especially in wealthier communities, for the traditional single-family home. It raises questions about the role of government in shaping housing and community design, and whether top-down mandates can succeed without buy-in from local residents.

The details

The proposed 'Yountville Commons' project would include some studio apartments as small as 300 square feet, which Keller and other business owners argue is too dense for their community and would create issues like lack of parking and tens of millions in costs to the city. The state claims it is addressing a housing shortage, but critics say the left's vision of packing people into cramped urban buildings is not feasible for many Californians who prefer the 'archetypal single-family home'.

  • In 2020, Governor Newsom dined at Keller's French Laundry restaurant without a mask while telling others to avoid even the Taco Bell drive-through during COVID-19.
  • The Yountville Commons project is currently being proposed and facing resistance from local residents.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who is pushing for more dense, urban housing development across the state.

Thomas Keller

A prominent chef and owner of the French Laundry restaurant in Yountville, California, who is leading the charge against the proposed 'Yountville Commons' housing project.

Yountville

A wealthy California community where the 'Yountville Commons' housing project is being proposed, facing resistance from local residents and businesses.

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What’s next

The Yountville City Council will vote on whether to approve the 'Yountville Commons' housing project in the coming months, with local residents and business owners continuing to voice their opposition.

The takeaway

This clash over housing policy in California highlights the ongoing tensions between the state government's vision for more dense, urban development and the preferences of many residents, especially in wealthier communities, for the traditional single-family home. It raises questions about the role of government in shaping housing and community design, and whether top-down mandates can succeed without buy-in from local residents.