Bristol Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bristol Township public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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 Property Lot Line and Parking Adjustments
Liberty Tech is applying to use an M-1 light manufacturing property in Levittown as an employee parking lot for workers from three nearby addresses.
Commercial Metal Container Accessory Use at 2631 Durham Rd.
Iffy’s Hot Chicken is seeking local approval to use metal shipping or storage containers as accessory structures on a commercial property along Durham Road.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blight Remediation on Tremont Street
A resident expressed frustration over inconsistent code enforcement and uninspected home improvement projects in his neighborhood, asking for better communication from the township.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Veterans Support Organization Community Center
Salute 2 Service Inc. gained approval to open a veteran support center on Veterans Highway, offering community outreach, food assistance, and resources.
Commercial Truck Parking Opposition on Beaver Dam Road
Residents strongly opposed a proposal to allow commercial truck parking on Beaver Dam Road, citing severe traffic jams, safety risks near bus stops and schools, and environmental runoff concerns.
Expansion of Autism Educational Services at Grundys Lane
Potential, Inc. gained approval to open an autism education and pre-K center on Grundys Lane, expanding critical Medicaid-accepting services for children.
Residential Neighborhood Protection and Traffic Safety on Buchanan Avenue
Residents strongly pushed back against a commercial setback variance on Buchanan Avenue, arguing that increased commercial traffic and large trucks threaten children's safety and disrupt a quiet family neighborhood.
Sewer System Upgrades and Connection Management Plan
Inframark and Gilmore Associates reported major progress in reducing stormwater inflow and achieving a 90% release from the DEP Connection Management Plan, alongside ongoing pump station rehabilitation.
Duplex Residential Conversion
Developers are turning an old tavern and rooming house into six apartments, which neighbors and board members hope will bring a nicer look and less late-night noise to the area.
United Way Parking Relief at 2901 Edgeley Road
The United Way is relocating its headquarters and community center to Edgeley Road and received permission to keep its existing 56 parking spaces instead of paving over green space for hundreds of unneeded spots.
Public Safety
Chief Winik presented the 2025 police report, highlighting increased officer proactivity, shift adjustments that saved over $470,000 in overtime, and new community programs like the Police Athletic League.
Historic Preservation Support for Bolton Mansion
Representatives from the Friends of Bolton Mansion invited council and township staff to collaborate on historical preservation and potential Community Development Block Grant funding.
Randall Avenue Bridge & Haines Road Bridge Planning
The township is utilizing $1.4 million in preliminary engineering grants from PennDOT to evaluate the Randall Avenue Bridge and plan for a future Haines Road bridge extension.
GFO Stone Building Expansion on Veterans Highway
GFO Stone is expanding its existing warehouse by over 12,000 square feet to bring its granite, quartz, and marble storage entirely indoors. The project includes stormwater management upgrades and parking lot improvements.
U-Haul Storage Facility Expansion on Durham Road
Amerco Real Estate is moving forward with a multi-phase mini-warehouse and U-Box storage facility on Durham Road after five years of planning. The project features an 18,000 square-foot building, strict limits on outdoor truck and trailer storage, and enhanced landscaping.
Annual Council Reorganization and Appointments
The township council organized its leadership and appointed professional firms like engineers and solicitors for the upcoming year.