Letter to the Editor – Commons could help build a more inclusive Yountville
Dear Editor,
Those who know me know that I have been excited about the Yountville Commons project from the beginning. The possibility of addressing a historic housing shortage, especially for the workers that support our local community, is a rare and wondrous event. I never thought our community would have this kind of opportunity to meaningfully address this shortage during my lifetime. The council’s decision to purchase the former YES property was a bold decision that I applaud. My friends also know that I have an issue with the vacation home economy in our town; I have been vocal in my belief that we have enough $2-3m homes used primarily as a place for a weekend away or vacation. (As a reminder, nearly 50% of the homes in Yountville are not occupied full time.)
I participated in quite a number of the individual and group meetings held during the planning process. The town council and former town manager made a commendable effort to gain the opinion of those that participated.
Individuals or groups that have issues with aspects of the plan have always had the right and obligation to offer their opinions and recommendations, and to understand and agree with the long-term financial impacts. That said, I am not the first or last to be troubled by the way that these issues have been presented to the council. The sense of outrage seems misplaced, especially when it challenges the motivation of our council. I never saw the plan presented for consideration as a done deal, only as an intermediary step toward the possibility of bettering the community we share. Much work remains ahead of us.
I have spent quite some time mulling over the best way I could express my feelings. I admit that my response early on to some who expressed their concerns came off in a way that might have been off-putting, too emotional, and that stifled dialogue. (I remember asking someone I like to ‘not screw this up.’) I know there is no way forward with aggression and know that I will lose friends if I choose that course. I refuse to go that way and so will not speak at a council meeting (where my emotions might get the best of me; it has happened before).
There are some that fear this kind of change. Notably I am convinced that the big businesses in town, despite their claims to the contrary, like the economic make up of our community and do not want to see a meaningful effort to provide workforce housing. Visitors walking through town see a fantasy, a caricature of a small town. Tidy homes and gardens abound. (Do you remember when Old Town, now known as No-Yo had some houses with cars on cement blocks?) Many of the owners of these homes can frequent our restaurants, and their friends stay in our hotels. Our business owners want to do what they think is best for their businesses. I think they see the status quo as their best bet. I would remind them, and all who read this, that the State of California will force this change if we do not make it ourselves. Dragging our feet is not going to work, and it is a fantasy to imagine that there are enough other places in Yountville to build the required homes. As we know from the process of approving the new addition at the intersection of Yount and the Cross Road, developers may do what they want if they put in a bare minimum of workforce units.
I have long noticed that there is a bifurcation of wealth in Yountville. The majority of those that live on a fixed income live at the south end of town and across the highway at the Veterans’ Home. I know this was not planned, but it is the way it is (our first gated community was proposed last year, at the very north end of town, part but not part of Yountville). Is the envisioned Commons project not beautiful? Can we not imagine our community bettered by diversity, by people that work hard to make our town the jewel it is? Is it not possible to imagine that this will increase economic diversity, with more local serving businesses arriving in Yountville?
I take it for granted that there are some that will disagree with what I have written. I embrace your concerns, even your fear where it exists. I invite your suggestions and objections. I simply ask that we take the time to recognize that we need not hate each other for our view. That we all want what is best for each other in our community. Imagine doing something great in our backyard.
Michael Borck
Yountville
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