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Pittsfield Community Development Board approves routine permits, subdivisions and a Durant Park mural; discusses zoning updates
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the board unanimously approved minutes, two subdivision determinations, two special permits, and a mural site plan; the board also discussed form‑based code updates and BESS siting with no action taken.
The Pittsfield Community Development Board on Jan. 20, 2026, conducted routine business and voted unanimously on a series of administrative and land‑use items, including two subdivision determinations, two special permits in the Downtown Creative District and approval of a mural within Durant Park.
The board approved the Dec. 16, 2025 minutes. It determined that subdivision approval was not required for a plan submitted by Foresight Land Services on behalf of CHIS‑Home, LLC for 291–295 First Street; the split would place each building on a separate parcel and would create nonconforming setbacks (rear yard of 295 ~7.5 ft; side yards between buildings ~5.5 ft and 8.04 ft). The board also determined subdivision approval was not required for a plan by Foresight Land Services on behalf of Thomas Auge for 17 Kittredge Road (Parcel A 0.18 acres to be combined with an adjoining 2.7‑acre lot). Both determinations passed by unanimous roll call.
The board granted a special permit under Article 23‑4 §4.324(E)(2) (Downtown Creative District) to CHIS‑Home, LLC for 291–295 First Street, with standard conditions including a two‑year lapse if the rights are not exercised and the requirement that applicants adhere to all other federal, state and local regulations. The board also granted a special permit for 76 North Street (applicant The Recovery Room) to operate a medical office on the ground floor of a Primary Street within the Downtown Creative District, with the condition that some interactive retail presence be maintained at street level.
City staff presented a proposal for a mural at Durant Park (on the fence line for the Housatonic River within the Floodplain District). Parks Commission approval preceded the board review; the board approved the site plan for a mural approximately 25 ft by 10–12 ft attached to plywood mounted on utility poles.
Board members discussed updates to the Westside Form Based Code and recent changes related to Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Rayner noted that solar and battery installations are now more clearly covered under the Dover Amendment for certain uses but that the city retains siting input for larger BESS installations; no formal amendments or votes on BESS or the form‑based code occurred at the meeting.
All recorded motions and permits were approved by roll call votes with the members present voting unanimously. The meeting concluded at 7:20 p.m.
