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Council authorizes administrative search warrant to inspect condemned One East Franklin Street property
Summary
After reports that the owner was storing equipment in a building posted as condemned, New Freedom Borough council authorized staff to seek an administrative search warrant to gather evidence of ordinance violations and enforce code against the property owner.
New Freedom Borough Council voted to pursue an administrative search warrant to inspect a condemned property on East Franklin Street after staff and residents reported evidence the building — posted condemned — was being used for storage.
Council members described the site as posted and inaccessible for routine code inspection; witnesses reported seeing trucks and stored equipment moving in and out. The solicitor and code-enforcement staff advised that an administrative search warrant is the appropriate mechanism to gather admissible evidence if the owner denies ongoing use of the condemned structure.
The motion to seek the administrative search warrant passed after discussion about probable cause and enforcement options; council recorded at least one dissenting vote. Council instructed the solicitor and code enforcement to pursue the warrant process and return with any evidence and recommended enforcement steps.
Why it matters: A condemned structure poses potential hazards to public safety and nuisance issues; council action authorizes a legal avenue (administrative search warrant) for inspectors to verify reported violations and create enforceable evidence for fines or further legal action.
Next steps: Solicitor and code-enforcement staff will initiate the warrant process, collect evidence, and report back to council. If violations are documented, council may pursue enforcement remedies including fines or abatement.
