Credit: Bristol Township
Bristol Township is making strides in its goal of removing blighted homes from its streets.
According to a report made at last week’s council meeting by project manager Randee Elton, the township began the process in January with 204 homes on its vacant property list, she announced that 33 have been given temporary residential resale use and occupancy permits, 17 have been given construction permits, two have been demolished/plan to be demolished, five are currently listed for sale, 37 are listed as bank-owned and 19 have been put on the sheriff sale list.
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Back in January, the council took measures aganist 10 homes on the list by labeling them as blighted. The owners of the homes were given 30 day compliance letters and strides have been taken to bring those homes back up to code.
Elton noted that 514 Magnolia, 1712 Prospect, and 3716 Elmhurst have all been posted for condemnation by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority, and the authority is scheduled to take ownership of the properties in 30 days. The homes at 1020 Anne and 1738 Maple are scheduled for demolition, while 843 Stella is waiting for utility shutoff letters, 5805 Fleetwind has been taken over by the authority, 924 Center has been resold, and 1206 Spencer is currently under an agreement of sale.
While the township works to complete the processes of their original 10 blighted homes, eight more were labeled as blighted on August 10; including the homes at 18 Crosswood Lane in Levittown, 5632 Mitchell Road in Levittown, 526 S. Queen Anne Drive in Fairless Hills, 23 Overbrook Lane in Levittown, 198 Plumbridge Drive in Levittown, 34 Vista Road in Levittown, 3449 Hilltop Avenue in Bristol and 64 Red Maple Lane in Levittown.
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Elton called working with the township and the RDA a “very smooth and wonderful process” – while Council President Craig Bowen noted to residents that there are “many safeguards” when it comes to labeling a property as blighted to “keep the township from doing anything unethical”.
Labeling homes as blighted and working with owners to bring properties in the township up to code is part of Bristol’s $1 million initiative launched in November.
