Comedian Dave Chappelle threatens to pull investments from Ohio town over housing development plan

The village of Yellow Springs, Ohio, has canceled a residential development plan that included a significant affordable housing component following the objection of comedian Dave Chappelle, who lives in the area, and others, according to a report from the Dayton Daily News.

During a public hearing on Monday night, Chappelle stood in front of the Village Council and threatened to pull his own business ventures from the town — a restaurant and comedy club — if the village approved the housing plan. 

The Daily Mail reported that Chappelle supports affordable housing but opposes development plans for his hometown, which has a population of about 3,800 people.

According to zoning plans, part of the development could run up against Chappelle's 39-acre rural farm. 

"I am not bluffing. I will take it all off the table," he said after threatening litigation and telling Council members they "look like clowns" over their handling of the issue. (Chappelle begins his short speech at roughly the 1-hour, 42-minute mark of the video.)

Following pushback, the Village Council voted to revert back to its original zoning plan that does not contain an affordable housing component. The local outlet reported that villagers cited concerns with the planned development pertaining to traffic flow, water management, and issues with the proposed homeowner's association.

The proposal that was struck down by the Council was comprised of 64 single-family homes, 24 townhomes, 52 duplexes, and 1.75 acres set aside on which to build affordable housing. The original plan, which gained approval, includes 143 single-family homes, each of which will cost no less than $300,000.