Ben Lesher

Aspiring to create inspirational places. More density. More housing. Mennonite.

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@jongeeting Depends on the project but I’m thinking sewer planning module and NPDES (earth disturbance/stormwater permit) from PADEP and highway occupancy permit from PennDOT are common

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@jongeeting Here here. And building permits are not nearly as bad as entitlements. State level land development approvals seem to be getting faster (still multiple months) but not sure if that’s new administration or COVID backlog is finally easing.

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@stcif01 @EthanDemme Let’s go! While I think more are starting to realize that regulations and beaurocy make it hard to build generally, many of us that still tried to build now missed the economic viability window because the entitlement process took two plus years…

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@awwhalen You can have large 3br units in a double loaded corridor BTW but the need is for smaller units in Lancaster now. Stair towers and elevators are some of your biggest costs in building a building so I guess my answer is to subsidize those things for developers.

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

I just started following High Fine Arts Center at LMS on #Vimeo: https://t.co/ODT8NWM7Fn

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@awwhalen Will be interested to hear. Word on the street is that the plans for the apartments and (maybe) parking garage compenents have been put on hold.

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@awwhalen @theluehmingdoom You and me both!

[Moses Kagan @moseskagan]

Every single update to the building code for housing (solar, storm run-off, energy efficiency, etc.) should be subjected to the following test:

How much supply growth will this regulation inhibit and, therefore, how many families it drive into homelessness?

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

Help my fundraiser for Chestnut Housing Corporation. My company is offering a $10,000 match. Let’s build some affordable housing folks! #extragive https://t.co/cAN0jA2P63

[Moses Kagan @moseskagan]

Suggestion to my YIMBY friends:

Consider becoming developers.

Whatever obstacles you have in mind have been conquered by plenty of other people no smarter or richer than you.

If you turn out to be good at it, get to spend your life making $$$, while adding value to society.

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@awwhalen Put me in coach!

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@awwhalen Don’t know for sure on this one but unfortunately many office spaces are not the right dimensions/infrastructure in the wrong places for efficient res conversion. For example, your apts would have to be pretty deep and then how do you get light back into those bedrooms?

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@awwhalen Agreed. Would love to know the source if you do find out. Not sure how the dorm rooms in the middle of the building are getting any natural light. What a shame PennDOT owns the corner. Really would like to see a building holding that corner and creating an edge.

[Sean Sweeney @seandsweeney]

If you want rents to stop going up so fast, we need to build more housing.

If you want more people to be able to afford to buy single family home & build wealth, we need to build more housing.

If you want more affordable rental housing, we need to build more housing.

Period.

[Anne Deeter Gallaher @AnneDGallaher]

Shout out to @benlesher for developing Stadium Row Apartments, in Lancaster. 104 modern units with 8 micro apartments; 67 are leased. Great tour with @ULIPhiladelphia crew! Thanks @HighCompanies & @RETTEWCompanies for sponsoring! #CRE #SDLDevCo #ULI

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@RepSmucker A good start would be for you to make sure BIPOC actually have equal voting rights in our commonwealth and country, which is kinda like the opposite of what you’ve done recently... #walkthetalk

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

Just posted a photo https://t.co/jOaeUbgq0e

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

Support my fundraiser for Chestnut Housing Corporation tomorrow! https://t.co/f5pO2tqP5w

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

Support my fundraising campaign to raise funds for Chestnut Housing Corporation! #housing #Lancaster #extragive https://t.co/PF3RrZYV2N via @GiveGab

[Ben Lesher @benlesher]

@stadiumrow PROGRESS. rooftop views. Queen of the Hill. #gratitude @ Stadium District https://t.co/5oGk4o6dk4