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Plymouth board affirms demolition and vacate orders after evidentiary hearings; owner challenges warrant
Summary
After an evidentiary hearing on multiple mobile‑home lots, the Board of Public Works & Safety affirmed demolition or vacate orders for five properties and affirmed a separate vacate order for 1014 West Madison Street, where the owner alleged illegal police entry and asked for time to renovate.
The Board of Public Works & Safety held evidentiary hearings on July 13 and affirmed building‑commissioner orders affecting multiple properties, after hearing testimony from the building official, property representatives and neighbors.
The building commissioner presented evidence describing severe structural problems — rotted floor joists, collapsing porch additions, gas leak response and other unsafe conditions — at several manufactured‑home lots. After the board heard evidence and remarks from the property representative, Abraham Anderson, the board voted to affirm the building commissioner’s orders for Lot 108, Lot 136, Lot 158, Lot 163 and Lot 221.
When Mr. Anderson asked for a two‑week continuance to obtain local counsel and identify third‑party evaluators, the board took a roll‑call vote and the motion for continuance failed. The board then proceeded with the evidentiary hearing and, by individual roll‑call votes, affirmed the orders described by the building commissioner.
The board explained enforcement options and appeal rights. City counsel told the owner the inspector will issue written notice of tonight’s result and that an appeal may be filed in Superior Court within 10 days; if the owner does not comply the city may seek a court order to perform demolition at the owner’s cost.
Separately, the board considered a vacate order for 1014 West Madison Street. Owner Jean Thornburg Abare told the board she has lived at the house for decades and alleged that law enforcement entered the property illegally; she asked for 60–90 days to renovate or sell. Family members and neighbors urged leniency and questioned the probable‑cause basis for the inspection warrant. City counsel and staff said challenges to probable cause must be taken to court and that the board’s role is limited to determining whether the structure is safe to occupy. The board voted to affirm the vacate order; staff and the building commissioner pointed the owner to potential grant money (staff cited up to $25,000 in county grant funding) and offered to assist in finding renovation resources.
The board’s action affirms the building commissioner’s determination that the listed structures are unsafe as documented in the inspector’s photos and notes. The board recorded roll‑call votes for each affirmed order; owners retain the right to seek judicial review.
