Gary Benjamin
@garyraybenjamin
Principal at Alchemy Planning + Land Use. Over $1BN of mixed-use and multifamily development entitled in Los Angeles. CHIP, Density Bonus, and ED 1 specialist.
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In the last 14 months, Alchemy obtained 20 approvals for Executive Directive 1 affordable housing projects in the City of LA, comprising 1,290 dwelling units and representing 10% of all ED 1 approvals granted during that time period. Here are a few examples (1/2):
Has Measure ULA created 10,000 quality union jobs? Nope. Totally made up numbers, parroted by the Citizens Oversight Committee -- which is supposed to be a watchdog, not a cheerleader. Here's @LAist's excellent deep dive, featuring @MichaelManvill6 : laist.com/news/housing-h…
Building on this pro-ED 1 (and pro-development consultant) thread, I submitted the 100% plan check application for a 53-unit affordable housing project in West LA, also involving @GeorgeAshdown0, on 7/14/25 and we broke ground on 9/22/25.
Submitted a request for new service to LADWP for a new construction multifamily building in the valley on Jan 6 2024. Building fully metered and energized 10/22/2025. Total time? 20 months.
1/ 🇺🇸 Today, @CAForever submitted detailed plans for the next great American city, an hour north of Silicon Valley, including: Solano Foundry, America’s largest manufacturing park, Solano Shipyard, our largest shipyard, and walkable neighborhoods for 400,000 Californians.
A city is not the aggregation of the financial interests of the people who currently live there. It's the aggregation of the dreams of all the people who desperately yearn to live there.
MAJOR NEWS: @GavinNewsom signed SB 79, my bill allowing more housing near public transit — rail, subway, rapid bus. It’s a huge step for housing in California. It’ll create more homes, strengthen our transit systems & reduce traffic & carbon emissions. Thank you, Governor!
Ladies and gentlemen, we did it. SB 79 has been signed.
Y'know the theory that new apartments are all vacant? Berkeley registers units in a rental registry and passed a vacancy tax in 2022. Not a single new apartment had a vacancy hit 6 months. Only old apts & houses did, amounting to 1.6% of the city's homes. berkeleyside.org/2025/09/08/ber…
How can LA thrive if the people who make this city the incredible place that it is -- the artists, entrepreneurs, chefs, teachers, day laborers, working families, and so many others -- cannot afford to build their lives here anymore?
Groundbreaking ceremony for a 189-unit ED 1 affordable housing project in Echo Park by Visionary Developments, Kevin Tsai Architecture, and JZA Architecture. Project entitlements by Alchemy Planning.
Big thanks to the LA-based members who voted Aye 👏: - @jessicacaloza (@AsmCaloza) - @SadeElhawary (@AsmSadeElhawary) - @MikeFongCA (@AsmMikeFong) - @MarkJGonzalezLA (@AsmMarkGonzalez) Proud that each was endorsed + supported by @AbundantHousing! Elections matter! 🗳️
[BILL ALERT] SB 79, which broadly legalizes more homes near high quality transit stops, has passed the Assembly appropriations committee! The bill now goes to an Assembly floor vote, then back to the Senate for concurrence.
[BILL ALERT] SB 79, which broadly legalizes more homes near high quality transit stops, has passed the Assembly appropriations committee! The bill now goes to an Assembly floor vote, then back to the Senate for concurrence.
I disagree on SB79. I support it and was glad to see @CA_Dem endorse it this weekend. Workers, students, seniors and other Californians will all benefit from more housing—especially near transit.
so, uh, the frontrunner to become next governor of California just retweeted me to say that she supports SB79, the most transformative housing bill in state history that will legalize tons of housing near transit we love to see it!
I disagree on SB79. I support it and was glad to see @CA_Dem endorse it this weekend. Workers, students, seniors and other Californians will all benefit from more housing—especially near transit.
BIG news: The California Democratic Party just endorsed @Scott_Wiener’s landmark housing bill #SB79, which legalizes multifamily homes near major public transit statewide! This marks a major shift in state politics: California Dems are *finally* embracing a party that builds!
Does anyone know how building height should be measured for the purposes of determining whether the AB 130 labor standards are applicable? Building code or local zoning code? @CohenSite @DRand2024 @matthewplan @mnolangray @cayimby
San Francisco just got a proposal for the tallest tower on the West Coast. And this is not just about one building. This plan would transform a vacant city block into a dynamic mix of housing, office space, retail, and public space by developing the former PG&E and Matson…
BREAKING: Proposed S.F. tower would be 15 stories taller than Salesforce and forever change the city skyline. sfchronicle.com/sf/article/new…
What does the LA permitting reform package include? One: LADWP process reform
“To the NIMBY movement that's now being replaced by the YIMBY movement, go YIMBYs. Thank you for your abundant mindset.” Newsom on signing infill housing bills tonight.
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