Pittsfield Looks To Extend Arts District

The Community Development Board approved extending the district on Tuesday night.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is close to extending the Arts Overlay District, a set of zoning laws that provides tighter controls over development, to First Street.

But, it won't affect the current debate over the plans to turn the former Plunkett School into Dunkin' Donuts.

Cafua Reality Trust filed and received a "subdivision approval is not required" determination from the Community Development Board on Tuesday night, which freezes the current zoning for the 151 First St. parcel for three years. A later approval to extend the Arts Overlay District to areas of First Street will not affect that parcel for three years but puts in motion the new regulations, which ultimately have to be approved by the City Council.

"We're submitting it to protect the zoning use for three years," said James Seidl, of SK Design Group who represented Cafua.

The Arts Overlay District would have banned a drive-through window at the building. A drive-through has been denied by the city but an appeal is pending in land court.

The district changes what types of businesses can operate in that area — encouraging more "mixed use" development. The overlay, which is currently North Street, encourages arts-related development and housing. The district also has a provision requiring new or redevelopment to file for a special permit.

The City Council already approved a text amendment for the current district to allow even more types of business.

Since the text portion was added, City Planner C.J. Hoss said he has been approached by a brewery looking to open downtown — breweries were added to the approved usage.

But the Community Development Board didn't approve the extension easily. The board was split between those who felt major downtown redevelopment projects should have an extra eye on them and those who felt it was bad for business.

Tuesday was Alf Barbalunga's final meeting after 14 years.

Hathaway says going to the process of a special permit adds significant costs to a project and one some companies or non-profits can't afford. Hathaway added that making the changes also shouldn't be done while there is still an appeal pending.

Alf Barbalunga said he too isn't in favor of it because it discourages future businesses from looking at sites in that area.

Floriana Fitzgerald, however, said it is the "right thing to do" because of pedestrian safety and encouraging walking in the downtown. Chairwoman Sheila Irvin cited the state's investment in the First Street Common and the city's farmer's market as ways First Street in linked to the downtown activities.

"I feel special permits give the city an opportunity to look closer at plans," Irvin said.

As for Dunkin' Donuts, while they have a three-year window now, they are concerned the district overlay will hurt their future redevelopment.

"I think it is bad zoning and bad for business," said attorney Thomas Hamel.

Tuesday was also Barbalunga's final meeting on the board after 14 years. Barbalunga served on the board in various capacities and was thanked for his service.

Pittsfield Holds Second Master Plan Workshop

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:43PM / Wednesday, April 01, 2026

Participants added notes to the sectors — such as transportation, open space and neighborhoods — being reviewed by the Master Plan Steering Committee. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city is about halfway through developing its new master plan, and held a second community workshop this past Thursday. 

"Basically, we're talking to people from Pittsfield and trying to figure out, among a broad sector of issues that affect us, what is our goal and vision for the next 10 years, where we want Pittsfield to be in 10 years, and what changes do we want to see?" Director of Community Development Justine Dodds explained to about 20 community members and city staff at Conte Community School. 

"That will be broken down into some goals and objectives and then some measurable action items that we can all take as a community to move that forward."  

The Pittsfield Master Plan is the policy guide for future physical development, covering land use, infrastructure, sustainability, and more. The plan was last updated in 2009, and Pittsfield has engaged the VHB engineering firm and CommunityScale consultants to bring it through 2036. 

There have been two public listening sessions, a Master Plan Advisory Committee guiding the work, and small focus groups for each section. On poster boards, residents were able to see and mark the draft goals and actions under six themes: economic development, housing opportunities, transportation and infrastructure, environment and open space, neighborhoods and community, and governance and collaboration. 

In November 2025, community members participated in a similar exercise at City Hall. 

Transportation and infrastructure had several notes on them. Suggestions included using infrastructure to address the urban heat island effect, a light rail system, and continuing to implement Complete Streets standards for roadway construction projects. 

"I want to ride my bike to my friend's house safely," one respondent wrote. 

Under economic development, people suggested digital business infrastructure for the downtown, food hall opportunities, and nightlife opportunities.