Yountville Faces Backlash Over Workforce Housing Plan

Celebrity chef Thomas Keller criticizes town's proposal to build 120 affordable apartments

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The town of Yountville, California is facing pushback from high-profile residents like chef Thomas Keller over its plans to build a 120-unit affordable housing complex on the site of a former elementary school. Keller and other local business owners argue the town's proposal for mostly studio and one-bedroom units does not meet the needs of the area's hospitality workers, who they say prefer larger, family-oriented housing. The town maintains its plans are based on surveys and analyses showing demand for more affordable options near the town's many restaurants, wineries, and hotels.

Why it matters

The debate in Yountville highlights the ongoing challenges many tourist-driven communities face in providing affordable housing options for their service industry workforce. As housing costs continue to rise in desirable areas like Napa Valley, local governments must balance the needs of businesses, workers, and long-time residents when planning new developments.

The details

Yountville, a town of about 3,400 in the heart of Napa Valley, is proposing to build a 120-apartment housing complex on the site of a former elementary school. The initial phase would include 8 studios, 16 two-bedroom units and 6 one-bedroom apartments, or 24 studios and 16 one-bedrooms. However, celebrity chef Thomas Keller and other local business owners like Arik Housley and Gary Jabara are urging the town to revise the plans to include more larger, family-oriented units with more parking. A survey of Jabara's employees showed a preference for 2-bedroom units priced between $1,700-$2,200 per month, with little interest in studio apartments.

  • Yountville purchased the former elementary school site in 2020 for $11 million.
  • The town plans to build the housing complex in three phases over the next five years.
  • The Yountville Town Council is expected to cast initial votes on the housing proposals at their March 17 meeting, with a final vote possible by May.

The players

Thomas Keller

A renowned chef who owns the acclaimed French Laundry restaurant in Yountville and has publicly criticized the town's housing plans.

Arik Housley

The owner of Ranch Market, another local business owner who has voiced concerns about Yountville's housing proposal.

Gary Jabara

The owner of the Yountville Estates resort, who has urged the town to include more family-oriented housing options based on a survey of his employees.

Brad Raulston

The Yountville town manager, who maintains the town's housing plans are based on surveys and analyses showing demand for more affordable options.

Yountville Town Council

The five-member council that will vote on the initial housing proposals in March and a final plan by May.

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What they’re saying

“Housing only works if it actually works for the people who live and work here.”

— Thomas Keller (San Francisco Chronicle)

“There is little to no interest whatsoever in studio units.”

— Gary Jabara, Owner, Yountville Estates resort (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Is someone really suggesting that no one will rent a studio among the 2,000 people that come to this town from all across the bay area?”

— Brad Raulston, Yountville Town Manager (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Yountville Town Council will cast initial votes on the housing proposals at their March 17 meeting, with a final vote possible by May.

The takeaway

The debate in Yountville highlights the ongoing challenges many tourist-driven communities face in providing affordable housing options for their service industry workforce. As housing costs continue to rise in desirable areas like Napa Valley, local governments must balance the needs of businesses, workers, and long-time residents when planning new developments.