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Magistrate orders enforcement steps after fire marshal details life-safety risks at Hummingbird Properties
Summary
Fire marshal testified to missing egress and other fire-code hazards at Hummingbird Properties (206 Douglas St); owner said many repairs have been made but acknowledged permitting/reinspection gaps; magistrate imposed fines with retroactive components but provided a short window for staff confirmation of completed work.
City code staff presented extensive, multi-year violations at Hummingbird Properties (206 Douglas Street), including unsafe stairways, inadequate guardrails, missing smoke detectors, electrical hazards and unpermitted work. Staff said the property has been the subject of repeated cases since 2021 and that issued permits showed little inspection activity.
Fire Marshal Don Weech testified that inspectors found a third-floor apartment with no secondary means of egress and a rear garage area converted without required fire separation, describing those as primary fire hazards. "It appeared to be being lived in... there's no secondary means of egress from that apartment," Weech said, stressing the life-safety risk.
Kristen Pizzuti, who identified herself as owner and manager, said she has performed many repairs and installed long-life smoke detectors but acknowledged she had not always requested reinspection after work. "In my ignorance, I didn't realize I'm supposed to call them to come out and inspect them afterwards," Pizzuti told the magistrate and asked staff to reinspect.
Magistrate Mark Watts said staff and the fire marshal showed ongoing life-safety concerns and entered orders imposing fines consistent with the prior magistrate's framework, while giving a limited window for the owner and contractor to have staff confirm completed work. The magistrate emphasized that the enforcement process is intended to drive compliance rather than revenue.
