We’re not certain what the actual story is behind this report from SF Gate, “Calif. town pauses housing project after French Laundry chef criticism.”

Is this one truly workforce housing vs NIMBYs in the chi-chi heart of Napa Valley? Is the project really a “Council-directed public project to create workforce housing and shared community space on the former school property” as it touts, or just another DUDE? Does the owner of the three-Michelin-starred French Laundry where the amuse-bouche reportedly starts at $310.00 and the remainder of the menu is priced accordingly, truly know what kind of Napa Valley housing workers would find “attractive”?

Keller and other local business owners had previously criticized the town for moving too fast on the project without taking feedback from business owners in the area. Keller has maintained his support for affordable housing, but he said that the building’s “studio-heavy, dormitory-style approach” and lack of parking would not be attractive to workers.

Who knows.

But if you had to pick a single story that captures a century of Euclidean vibe, where “neighborhood character” objections (first affirmed in that case) alone can kill what might be a good thing because neighbors can anonymously vote how someone uses their own property, you couldn’t do better than this one, where this is the lede: “[t]he push to build an affordable housing project in Yountville, blocks away from Michelin-starred restaurant French Laundry, has been postponed amid local pushback.” 

Oof.

Where a handful of objectors can deploy the death-by-the-thousand-days delay tactic so well known to land use and environmental litigants and lawyers, with apparent ease:

The referendum blocking the zoning ordinance was organized by Yountville resident Jessi Bugden and received 235 signatures, according to the Yountville Sun. The council has the option to repeal the zoning ordinance or put the referendum on the November ballot for voters to decide, according to the Press Democrat. That could potentially delay the housing project from moving forward until next year.

Where even after years of the excruciating land regulation process that is California land use, there’s yet one more objection, and it gains traction:

The Napa Valley town has spent years planning to convert an old elementary school into affordable housing for workers, but locals have recently criticized the Yountville Commons project, with the most notable pushback coming from French Laundry chef-owner Thomas Keller. Earlier this month, Keller scolded Mayor Margie Mohler, along with town council members, for their poor communication and large financial investment in the housing project. 

Check it out.