Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bristol Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues with medium priority
Commercial Metal Container Accessory Use at 2631 Durham Rd.
Iffy's Hot Chicken wants metal containers as accessory structures at its Durham Road property, but the hearing was pushed to December at the applicant's request.
Employee parking on Hartel Street
Liberty Tech wants to use a vacant lot across the street for employee parking, but the hearing exposed confusion over how many workers park where and whether emergency vehicles can reach the rear of the properties. The board wants a real meeting with township staff before deciding.
Residential variance relief for long-time homeowners
The board had to weigh unpermitted improvements made over decades by long-time residents against zoning limits on coverage and setbacks. The Fulford approval shows the board will grant relief when stormwater impacts are contained, but it also warned everyone to pull permits.
Residential Addition and Coverage Variances at 522 Stanford Rd.
Fairless Hills homeowners are requesting major zoning flexibility to allow a home addition, shed, and patio, including significantly more hard surfaces and zero side yard setback.
Work without permits in residential neighborhoods
Two applicants this night did work without permits — one got denied for skipping follow-through, the other got relief but a lecture. The board is signaling it won't gloss over unpermitted work, even for longtime residents.
School Superintendent Appointment
Bristol Township is getting a new school leader as longtime Superintendent Michael Nitti retires. This hiring decision will set the direction for local schools and student policies for years to come.
Street Lighting Maintenance and LED Control Systems
A resident questioned what happened to the smart street light control system purchased in 2013, noting that automated fault-reporting nodes are no longer functioning. Officials confirmed that the original lighting vendor went out of business and the automation features never fully worked, leaving the township reliant on standard photocells and visual reporting.
Childcare Facility Approvals
The board reviewed two daycare applications, approving a new group daycare on Russett Lane and allowing a long-standing family daycare on Emily Avenue to continue operating until retirement. Neighbors and former officials spoke in strong support of the Emily Avenue daycare.
Commercial Parking Relief for Outdoor Dining
Pineda Real Estate secured a variance for an outdoor patio at Yordana's Pizza, with neighborhood-backed conditions restricting music, hours, and liquor sales.
Traffic Safety and Speeding Concerns on Snowden Avenue
Residents voiced concerns about speeding vehicles and a lack of stop signs on Snowden Avenue, requesting traffic studies and additional stop signs.
Residential Deck and Impervious Surface Variances
A homeowner in Croydon is asking for permission to build a rear yard patio that exceeds normal impervious surface limits and cuts into rear yard setback requirements.
Commercial Garage Expansion at 815 Patterson Avenue
Womack RE Holdings is building a 6,000-square-foot garage at the old Croydon firehouse site, which will improve stormwater management and bring old pavement standards up to date.
New Commercial Building at 5790 Bristol Pike
Carrier 52 is developing a vacant lot on Bristol Pike into a 4,800 square-foot building dedicated to truck sales and repairs. The plan includes infiltration trenches for stormwater and several design waivers for tight site dimensions.
DCED Grant Application for Digital Document Management
The township is applying for a 50% matching state grant to help fund a $600,000 paperless document management system with Scantek.
Freight Train Horn Noise in Bordering Areas
A resident requested council assistance in mitigating excessive freight train horn noise during nighttime hours caused by industrial rail movements.