Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bristol Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
31 issues
Blight Remediation on Tremont Street
Seven vacant homes with liens, delinquent taxes and no water service were recommended for blight designation, letting the township pursue rehab or demolition. The township's vacant-home count has fallen from 204 in 2015 to 20 today.
Blight Designation for 5606 Tremont Street
The planning commission will review seven residential properties across Levittown and Croydon to determine if they should be recommended to the council for blighted property designation. This process is a key step in addressing neglected or deteriorated housing in the township.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Proposed Earned Income Tax Rate Increase
Consultants proposed doubling Bristol Township's earned income tax from 0.5% to 1% to close projected budget deficits driven by rising personnel and operating costs. Because most working residents already pay 1% in other municipalities due to reciprocity rules, the increase would redirect millions back to the township's general fund rather than outside municipalities.
Traffic Safety and Speeding on Newportville Road
Residents of Mayfield Terrace raised serious safety concerns regarding heavy cut-through traffic, speeding vehicles, and commercial trucks violating weight limits on Old Rodgers Road, presenting a petition for traffic calming measures.
Storage Container Storage & Enforcement Appeal
Walter Rybas sought temporary relief to keep metal storage containers on a residential property, but the board denied the appeal, supporting code enforcement.
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.
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.
Park Renaming in Honor of Fallen Firefighter
Firefighters Park is being officially renamed to honor firefighter John S. Buranich III, marking 50 years since his line-of-duty death. Additionally, the township is partnering with Bucks County on planning and grants for Humphreys Park and Sarah Johnson Park.
Fire Rescue & Emergency Management Update
The township accepted numerous Redevelopment Authority grants to purchase equipment, cameras, vehicles, and safety gear for local police and volunteer fire companies.
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.
Proposed Car Wash Traffic Concerns
Residents expressed strong opposition to a proposed car wash at 555 South Oxford Valley Road, citing severe traffic congestion and cut-through driving.
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.
Major Commercial and Industrial Redevelopment Projects
The council approved parking and loading reconfigurations for a vacant industrial warehouse at 3001 State Road to attract a major tenant.
Traffic Safety and Speeding on Old Rodgers Road
Residents from Mayfield Terrace presented a petition signed by neighbors asking the township to address heavy cut-through traffic, speeding, and commercial truck weight limit violations on Old Rodgers Road.
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.
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.
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.
Capital Project Loan Reallocation
Bristol Township reallocated $7.4 million from a 2021 low-interest loan to fund municipal building renovations, park improvements, and stormwater system upgrades.
Impervious Surface and Property Variance Compliance
The board addressed property variance requests involving excessive impervious surface coverage from driveways, sheds, pools, and patios. Homeowners were advised on strict lot coverage limits and stormwater management requirements.
Commercial Car Wash Sketch Plan at 555 S. Oxford Valley Road
Flagship Pennsylvania Propco presented early plans to build a 35-foot-tall car wash with automated pay stations and vacuums. Commissioners stressed the need for community outreach, sound mitigation, and careful traffic management.
Subdivision and New Home Construction at 714 River Road
A developer is planning to demolish an older home on Dixon Avenue and split the property into two lots to build two new single-family homes with modern stormwater management.
2026 Road Paving and Infrastructure Improvements
Council awarded a $3.4 million contract for combined road paving, ADA ramp construction, and storm inlet replacements across township neighborhoods.
2026 Township Budget Adoption
The township adopted its 2026 budget, setting property tax millage rates, street light assessments, and refuse fees to fund municipal services.
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.