Yellow Springs votes against affordable housing after Dave Chappelle threatens to pull investments

YELLOW SPRINGS — A proposed housing plan in Yellow Springs is moving forward, but only partly.

News Center 7 previously reported that the Yellow Springs Village Council were discussing plans to rezone over 50 acres of property located north of East Hyde Road and West of Spillan Road. The land would become a housing development of single-family duplexes and townhomes executed by Oberer Land Developers.

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For months, comedian Dave Chappelle has been vocal about his opposition during council meetings. He even threatened to pull his investments from the village if the plan went through.

Chappelle has an office in downtown Yellow Springs and at least two redevelopment projects in the works. The comedian voiced his frustration at a council meeting on Monday.

“I cannot believe you would make me audition for you. You look like clowns,” Chappelle said. “I am not bluffing, I will take it all off the table.”

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News Center 7 spoke with developer George Oberer. He said his company will still be able to build single family homes on the site, but with the council voting 2-2 this week, he will not be able to add townhomes, apartments and duplexes on the land.

Josue Salmeron, Yellow Springs Village Manager, previously told News Center 7 that the development was aimed at addressing a housing problem in the village.

In a statement to CNN, Chappelle’s publicist said “Neither Dave nor his neighbors are against affordable housing, however, they are against the poorly vetted, cookie-cutter, sprawl-style development deal which has little regard for the community, culture and infrastructure of the Village.”

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