Roseville City Council denies Norwood Inn's hotel license amid ownership questions

The Roseville City Council convened on March 24, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focusing on the hotel licensing process. The meeting began with a motion to deny a hotel license for the Norwood Inn, which sparked significant discussion among council members and the applicant.

The council first addressed the ownership issue surrounding the Norwood Inn. A motion was put on hold to clarify the relationship between Milwaukee Ford 5 LLC and SMP Hospitality LLC, the latter being listed as the current owner in tax records. The applicant explained that the ownership change occurred during refinancing in March, which was necessary for banking purposes. Council members sought to understand whether the principles of both entities were the same, which the applicant confirmed.

Following this clarification, Councilman Strachan moved to adopt a resolution denying the hotel license, with Councilman McGrath seconding the motion. Strachan emphasized the importance of correctly filling out licensing applications, especially when ownership changes occur. Councilmember Bauer noted recent legislative changes in Minnesota that allow cities to conduct hotel inspections, highlighting Roseville's proactive stance in this area.

As discussions continued, concerns were raised about the cumulative effect of code violations and the number of police calls associated with the Norwood Inn. Council members expressed their apprehension about granting a license to a property that had been condemned, citing public safety as a primary concern. Despite acknowledging the financial implications for the hotel, the council ultimately decided that adherence to city codes and safety standards must take precedence.

The motion to deny the hotel license passed unanimously, concluding the council's discussions on hotel licenses for the evening. Following the vote, the council took a brief recess before moving on to additional business items.