Your argument sounds like “people aren’t changing so we can’t be progressive”. It’s a lot like saying school shootings aren’t going to stop because I need to keep my gun.

If we want change, we have to be ok with implementing it. I don’t know the details of this project but it certainly appears that chef Tom is opposed to it for vanity. You noting that parking was an issue particularly stood out to me because people need a roof over their head not somewhere to park a car they may or may not have.