[Added 3-10-2026 by Ord. No. 1334]
The Local Historic District Study Committee, consistent with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40C, General Laws, shall make an investigation and report on the historical significance of the buildings, structures, features, sites or surroundings included in such proposed historic district or districts as the committee may recommend, and shall submit a final report with its recommendations after a public hearing, together with a map of the proposed district or districts and a draft of the proposed ordinance, to the City Council.
A. 
Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40C, § 4, the City of Pittsfield Local Historic District Study Committee shall be composed of not less than three nor more than seven members. The Mayor's Office shall solicit two nominees from the Local Board of Realtors, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the Berkshire County Historical Society.
B. 
At-large members shall be selected with preference for individuals with experience relevant to historic preservation or other relevant disciplines such as but not limited to; architects, archivists, and individuals with artistic or cultural expertise. At-large members shall be nominated by the Mayor subject to City Council approval, in accordance with the City Charter.
C. 
Term length. Committee Members shall serve for a term of no more than two years. Members may be renominated by the Mayor and reappointed by City Council for additional terms of two years.
D. 
Removal; vacancies. A member may resign at any time during the course of their term, and the Mayor shall fill the vacancy as soon as practicable. Any member appointed in order to fill such vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the departing member's term. The Mayor may remove a member subject to City Council approval; in which event the Mayor shall fill said vacancy as soon as practicable. Any member appointed in order to fill such a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the departing member's term.
A. 
The Local Historic District Study Committee shall make an investigation and report on the historical significance of the buildings, structures, features, sites or surroundings included in such proposed historic district or districts as the committee may recommend, and shall submit a copy of the report to the Community Development Board, and to the Massachusetts Historical Commission for their respective consideration and recommendations. Not less than 60 days after such submission, the Local Historic District Study Committee shall hold a public hearing on the report after due notice given at least 14 days prior to the hearing date with written notice mailed postage prepaid to the owners as they appear on the most recent real estate tax list of the Board of Assessors of all properties to be included in such district or districts. Following the public hearing, the Local Historic District Study Committee shall submit a final report with its recommendations, together with a map of the proposed district or districts and a draft of the proposed ordinance, to the City Council.
B. 
The Committee shall prepare along with its report, a recommendation to City Council for the Establishment of a Local Historic District Commission, which shall administer the newly created Local Historic District and fulfill the role of the Study Committee following its establishment.
C. 
The Study Committee, as part of its review, shall draft Design Guidelines to outline architectural and historic features that are significant within the Historic District and methods for properly preserving or replacing them.
A. 
The Local Historic District Committee shall not meet or conduct business without the presence of a quorum and shall keep a written record of its proceedings. A majority of the current members of the Local Historic District Study Committee shall constitute as a quorum. The Local Historic District Committee shall approve its actions by the majority vote of a quorum.
All present and future members of the Local Historic District Study Committee shall be classified as "special municipal employes" as that term is defined by MGL c. 268A, § 1(n), as amended. Such classification shall apply to Commission members only in the performance of their powers and duties as outlined in Chapter 2, Article LVIII, of the Code of the City of Pittsfield.
The Local Historic District Study Committee shall, from time to time, review the administration of this article, making recommendations, as needed, for changes in the article and in administrative practice to improve the operations of the Local Historic District Study Committee. This article may be amended from time to time by a majority vote of the City Council, provided that the amendments would not be in conflict with Chapter 40C of the Massachusetts General Laws.
In case any section, paragraph or part of this article is for any reason declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court of last resort, every other section, paragraph or part shall continue in full force and effect.