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Pittsfield CDB approves subdivision determinations, mural at Durant Park and two special permits
Summary
The Community Development Board unanimously approved two subdivision determinations, a Durant Park mural, and special permits for 291–295 First Street and 76 North Street; staff also briefed the board on Westside Form Based Code and BESS siting issues.
At its Jan. 20 virtual meeting the Pittsfield Community Development Board approved a series of procedural and zoning items, including two determinations that subdivision approval was not required, site‑plan approval for a mural at Durant Park, and two special permits in the Downtown Creative District.
The board determined 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 application separates buildings into distinct parcels; materials note 291 contains four living units and 295 contains three, and the split produces several setback non‑conformities (rear yard of 295 at 7.5 feet; side yards between the buildings at 5.5 feet for 295 and 8.04 feet for 291). The board also found a plan for 17 Kittredge Road (applicant Thomas Auge, presented by Heather Brown of Foresight) did not require subdivision approval; Parcel A was described as 0.18 acres and will be combined with an abutting 2.7‑acre lot.
Jim McGrath described a proposed mural to be installed on plywood panels mounted to four utility poles along the Housatonic River at Durant Park. The mural — proposed by the Westside Legends and described as roughly 25 by 10–12 feet — had Parks Commission approval; the board granted site‑plan approval.
The board approved a special permit for 291–295 First Street to allow reduced side setbacks in the Downtown Creative District, with standard special‑condition language and a two‑year lapse clause if rights are not exercised. Christina Meucci of The Recovery Room won approval to operate a ground‑floor medical office at 76 North Street in the Downtown Creative District; the board conditioned the permit on some interactive retail presence at the storefront, consistent with DCD guidelines.
Planning staff also updated the board on two zoning amendment efforts: the Westside Form Based Code (ongoing updates) and proposed rules for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Staff noted that solar and batteries are now covered under the Dover Amendment but that the board can still provide siting input for larger BESS installations.
All recorded motions were approved unanimously by roll call. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
