Roseville upholds condemnation of Norwood Inn and denies hotel license after staff inspection finds fire-safety breaches

The Roseville City Council, acting as the Board of Adjustments and Appeals, upheld a March 18 staff condemnation of the Norwood Inn at 2401 Prior Avenue and later denied the hotel’s application for a city lodging license after city inspectors found multiple unresolved life‑safety violations, including breaches that allow fire and smoke to move from guest rooms into attic space.

City Community Development Director Janice Gunlock told council members that an initial licensing inspection on Oct. 15, 2024, identified numerous violations and that a March 3, 2025, follow‑up found those issues largely uncorrected. "Staff did note that no corrections at that time had been made to the numerous violations," Gunlock said. Building official David England highlighted what he told the council were the most serious hazards: breaches in the fire‑rated assemblies that run from floor to floor and into the attic, a condition he said would allow rapid spread of fire and would likely prevent early detection.

The council discussed whether the property owner had made sufficient repairs or submitted credible plans. Owner Percy Poonawala told the council he had been traveling and ill last year, said contractors and permit applications are now underway and that "we have done more than 450" of the roughly 480 items listed on the city's inspection report. Attorney Matt Berner, representing the applicant, asked the council either to…