Letter to the Editor: Concerns about the Commons

Dear Editor of the Yountville Sun,

As the ZDRB prepares to consider moving forward with plans for the Yountville Commons project at the next meeting, I have five separate concerns.

1. Please do not rush this project through. The scale of the Commons is immense for a town of our size. Please communicate more widely what is planned, and why, by sending all U.S. Mail patrons in the 94599 zip code a thorough outline of the project’s scope, cost and timeline. While there have been some well-attended public meetings, the subject needs more airtime, print and public deliberation. At the last public meeting, that was cutoff when the subject of the swimming pool became the hot topic. Consider, as well, the uneasy times right now for our winegrowers and producers and how the impact of declining sales might impact the financial status of our town. The Coop appeared almost overnight, with no solicitation for bids, in a town known for its culinary excellence. Don’t let that be the story with The Commons.

2. There needs to be more one-bedroom units and fewer studios. Were focus groups held with employees of our three major employers — hospitality, culinary and medical (Veterans Home) — to ascertain their housing requirements? If not, that would be time well spent.

3. Parking spaces appear to be too few and remote from the doors of many units.

4. Rather than a swimming pool, consider other, more simple and less costly amenities, like a pool room, ping pong table, electronic game consoles, picnic tables, book exchange, etc.

5. And who from the Town accepted the $1 million grant from the Ed Keith Estate (per the Napa Valley Register) that is now the subject of litigation and confusion?

Sharon Stensaas
Yountville

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