Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bucks County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in development
Lower Bucks Government Services Center
The county is adding nine peace officers and a sergeant to run 24/7 security at the new Lower Bucks building opening in November. Costs are split between the 2026 and 2027 budgets.
Housing and Homelessness Programs
New summer intern Justin Magnus is inventorying the county's mobile home parks and other affordable housing, and members flagged the need to define 'affordable' carefully — distinguishing attainable housing from subsidized housing.
Act 247 subdivision and land development reviews
The commission issues advisory reviews on municipal planning matters — including a newly added review for Nockamixon Township. These opinions inform but don't dictate local zoning and development decisions.
Act 247 Development Plan Reviews
A planned warehouse at Route 13 and Penndel Road (BCPC #12374-A) triggered a wave of written comments about flooding, health and safety, and environmental impacts. The county commission only reviews these plans — Falls Township makes the final call, so residents' real opportunity is at township zoning board and supervisor meetings.
New $15 fee to fight blighted properties
A new $15-per-recording fee will build a fund to demolish or remediate blighted properties across the county. It came out of the county's blight study with the Planning Commission, and staff said remediation could mean rebuilding a home with partners like Habitat for Humanity, not just demolition.
District court accessibility compliance work
The county is spending roughly $300,000 to bring three of its 18 magisterial district court offices into ADA compliance. A resident asked whether the rest will follow and whether a countywide building assessment is coming.
Lower Bucks Government Services Center construction costs
Former Rep. Andy Warren questioned the $108,831 change order #26 and the mounting number of change orders, plus news reports of deterioration in the current Administration Building. COO Margie McKevitt said a structural engineer will assess windows, brick, and the rotunda, and promised a cumulative change-order total.
Homelessness prevention and housing services funding
The county put more money into fighting homelessness — an increase for the Opportunity Council's rapid rehousing work and $37,435 for facility improvements at Bucks Villa, plus a long-term HOME-ARP agreement with A Woman's Place.
Warehouse-to-housing conversion opportunities
Commissioner Keenan suggested empty warehouses — like a 240,000-square-foot Amazon-vacated building — could be redeveloped as housing, since warehouse construction has slowed since COVID.
Morrisville Redevelopment Area
The Redevelopment Authority wants Bucks County to recertify the same Morrisville redevelopment area first certified in 2004 — unlocking state incentives and financing tools for downtown. Key targets include the long-vacant Stockham Building, the Morrisville Municipal Authority's riverside wastewater plant site once it's decommissioned, and the Sellers/Velley (corn syrup) riverfront plant the authority hopes to relocate. This was informational only; an official recertification request comes later.