A. Purpose: The purpose of the original townsite overlay (OTO) is to fulfill the following objectives:
1. Encourage development to be compatible with existing development patterns to take advantage of existing infrastructure and services such as, but not limited to, streets, water, sewer, and solid waste disposal;
2. Encourage infill development to use land efficiently and reduce sprawl;
3. Maintain and enhance the existing pedestrian friendly development pattern; and
4. Enhance the City's downtown and facilitate coherent transitions between each downtown district as identified by the Pocatello Downtown Development Plan.
B. Application: The provisions of the OTO overlay shall apply to all areas designated as such on the adopted zoning map which are part of the original Pocatello townsite. The provisions of the OTO are to be applied in conjunction with the provisions of the underlying zoning district. Where the provisions of the OTO and the underlying zoning district conflict, the requirements of the OTO shall apply.
C. Permitted Uses: Permitted, restricted, conditionally permitted, and nonpermitted land uses shall be as listed in the underlying zoning district.
D. Development Standards:
1. Lot Requirements: Lot requirements, including minimum lot size, density standards, lot width, and lot coverage shall be as listed in the underlying zoning district. Existing, legally created lots are exempted from this standard.
2. Setback Requirements: Setbacks shall be as follows.
Standard | Residential Uses | Nonresidential Uses |
Front (except garage) | 15 feet or the average of the existing setbacks of the abutting block face, or as otherwise determined by the Director or their designee | 0 feet, and a maximum setback of 10 feet, or as otherwise determined by the Director or their designee |
Interior side | 5 feet | 0 feet of 5 feet if abutting a residential zoning district |
Corner street side | 10 feet; unless built on only one OTO lot as originally platted, then 5 feet | 0 feet, and a maximum setback of 10 feet, or as otherwise determined by the Director or their designee, all applicable site triangle standards shall apply |
Rear | 10 feet | 0 feet |
Alley loaded garage | 10 feet | |
Front loaded garage | 20 feet or 5 feet more than front setback, whichever is greater |
3. Building Height: The maximum height of the principal building shall not exceed the maximum height permitted in the underlying zoning.
4. Parking: For single-family and two-family dwellings, when alley access is available, off street parking spaces shall be accessed from the adjacent alley. On street parking spaces aligning with the property street frontage may be counted toward up to 50% of the required off street parking requirements. For other use types, off street parking and loading shall be provided in accordance with section 17.05.500 of this title, with the following exceptions and additions:
a. Reduction: Off street parking requirements may be reduced by up to thirty percent (30%) for development with a building footprint of less than five thousand (5,000) square feet, or a maximum of six (6) on street parking spaces abutting the development may be counted toward required off street parking requirements.
b. Waiver: Off street loading requirements shall be waived for developments with a building footprint of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, except for motor vehicle sales.
c. Rounding Down: If any use requires one-half (1/2) or more of a parking space, the parking requirement shall be rounded down to the lesser number of spaces.
d. Location of Parking Facilities: Parking areas, traffic circulation, and drive-thrus shall not be located between the front building facade and the front lot line. Required parking spaces may be located on another parcel not farther than four hundred feet (400') from the building or use they are intended to serve, measured in a straight line in any direction from the building.
e. Development shall have a minimum parking lot setback of five feet (5') on the side yard and rear yard setbacks.
5. Landscaping: Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following standards:
a. Except where crossed by driveways and pathways, all residential front yards and areas visible from the public streets shall be landscaped. Nonvegetative ground cover shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total landscape areas.
b. Driveways and other impervious surfaces shall cover no more than one-third (1/3) of the front yard area.
c. Gravel or unimproved driveways or parking areas shall not be permitted.
d. Planting strips are required and shall be landscaped, including one shade tree that is one and one-half inch (1-1/2") caliper in size or larger for every thirty feet (30') of property frontage. The required width of the planter strip shall be determined by the Director or their designee and Public Works Engineering staff. Tree species and varieties, in accordance with the planter strip width requirements, shall be chosen from the list of city approved street trees.
6. Street Orientation: The principal entrance of the building shall face the public street on which the building is addressed. For commercial development when located adjacent to multiple public streets, the principal entrance shall orient towards the nearest adjacent public street. A pedestrian walkway shall connect the public sidewalk to the principal entrance. No street facade shall contain blank walls wider than thirty (30) linear feet. Street facade walls wider than thirty (30) linear feet shall contain windows or entrances to break up blank wall surfaces.
7. Lighting: Lighting shall be no taller than fifteen feet (15') and shall be shielded and directed away from adjacent uses and/or public right of way.
E. Downtown Development Standards: Street lighting shall be provided in accordance with the Light Plan of the Pocatello Downtown Development Plan. The required lighting shall be placed in the required planter strips, unless authorized elsewhere on the project site as approved by the Planning Director or designee. (Ord. 3132, 2023: Ord. 3115 § 4, 2023: Ord. 3075, 2021: Ord. 3064, 2021; Ord. 3044, 2020: Ord. 2896, 2011: Ord. 2846 § 1, 2008)