1.   Purpose. The Old Town Overlay District is intended to conserve the existing ambiance of residential neighborhoods in close proximity to Downtown West Burlington. These constitute the earliest platted areas in the City, and are generally characterized by lots with a width of less than 70 feet, and a lot area of less than 7,500 square feet.

   The regulations established for the O-OT Overlay District are intended to accommodate residential lot dimensions of a considerably higher density than elsewhere in the city. They are also intended to ensure that infill development and redevelopment in this area are consistent with the established aesthetic character of the neighborhood.

2.   Description. This overlay district encompasses all residential blocks contained within the initial subdivisions of Original Town, 1st Addition, 2nd Addition, 3rd Addition, and 4th Addition, as well as several blocks of land to the immediate south and west of these subdivisions. This reflects the approximate extent of development in West Burlington in 1930.

   The two Downtown blocks bounded by Mount Pleasant, Swan, Wheeler, and Leffler Streets are not included in this Overlay.

   The precise boundaries of this District are indicated on the Official Zoning Map.

3.   Relation to Base Zoning Districts. Functioning as an overlay, this District is meant to work in conjunction with the underlying Base Zoning Districts. It serves to modify specific provisions, so that they are either more restrictive or less restrictive than the Base District.

   All requirements established by the Base District, which are not explicitly modified by the Overlay District, shall be enforced as written.

4.   Non-Residential Uses. All non-residential uses shall be exempt from the requirements of this Overlay District. If a lot in the B-1 Base District is converted from a residential use to a commercial or service use, the requirements of the Overlay District shall cease to apply to this lot.

   A dwelling used for a Home Occupation or Home Business (as defined and regulated in Section 165.03) shall constitute a residential use, subject to the requirements of the Overlay District.

5.   Exemptions and Modifications. These provisions shall apply to all residential lots in this Overlay District, including new and pre-existing development.

   A.   Front Setback. The minimum front setback shall be 15 feet. Front porches, whether open-air or enclosed, shall have a minimum setback of 10 feet.

   B.   Rear Setback. There shall be no required setback for accessory buildings

   C.   Side Setbacks. The minimum side setback shall be 5 feet. For corner lots, the minimum setback for the side facing the side street shall be 15 feet.

   D.   Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be 5,000 square feet per dwelling unit.

6.   Additional Requirements for Infill Development. These provisions shall apply exclusively to the development of new dwellings. Dwellings built prior to the establishment of this Overlay District 10 shall be exempt from these requirements. However, no pre-existing dwellings shall be structurally altered in such a way that directly results in them no longer complying with any of these requirements.

   A.   Equivalent Setback. Wherever applicable, when a new dwelling is constructed, and the adjacent dwellings on each side have a front setback that is equivalent to one another, the new building shall conform to this same setback. If this is not the case, then a “contextual setback” shall be used, as described in Section 165.22(3).

   B.   Maximum Front Setback. No new dwelling shall be constructed with a front setback of greater than 25 feet, unless a neighboring dwelling has a setback of 30 feet or greater. In such cases, a contextual setback is required.

   C.   Maximum Lot Width. No new dwelling shall be constructed on a lot of greater than 80 feet in width.

   D.   Street-facing Façade. The front façade and primary entrance of each dwelling unit shall face the street on which the property fronts. For corner lots, the front façade and primary entrance of the dwelling(s) shall face the street that is parallel with the rear alley.

   E.   Alley Access. All garages shall be situated at the rear of the dwelling unit, with auto access from the alley, rather than the street on which the lot fronts. This shall apply to corner lots, as well.

   F.   Porches. Each dwelling unit shall include a space at the front entrance, which can function as a porch. This shall constitute a partially-enclosed area with an overhang, and at minimum, a wooden or paved surface large enough to provide seating for one or more people, unobstructed by the doorway.

7.   Recommendations. While not required by this Ordinance, the City encourages that the following elements be incorporated into an infill development project in the Old Town Overlay District, whenever deemed feasible by the developer.

   A.   Placement of Windows. An abundance of blank walls distracts from the visual character of Old Town, in which the coordinated placement of windows helps create a welcoming sense of safety and enclosure around the street and sidewalk.

   B.   Decorative Landscaping. The inclusion of vegetative landscaping at the front of a dwelling help contribute to the aesthetic appeal of Old Town, particular in the area around the porch.

   C.   Full-Length Porches with Columns. Traditionally, dwellings in Old Town were constructed with open-air porches that spanned the full width of the building, with vertical columns strategically placed around the porch.

   D.   Detached Garages. While garages attached to the principal structure are allowed, detached garages are preferable, as they allow a direct connection from the alley, and open up additional land for storm water drainage, in between the impervious space of the dwelling and garage.

   E.   Lot Width. While the consolidation of multiple adjacent parcels into a wider lot is allowed, up to a width of 80 feet, it is encouraged that dwellings be developed within the original 50-foot lots, whenever possible.

   F.   Minimum Height. The majority of original dwellings in Old Town have a height of 1.5 or 2 stories. While 1-story dwellings are allowed, it is encouraged that they conform to the established pattern of the neighborhood, whenever possible.

   G.   Tree Canopy. As it is recognized that consistent tree cover contributes to the established character of these neighborhoods, it is encouraged that trees be planted in the front yard of each new dwelling in Old Town, whether in the terrace area or the area between the dwelling and the sidewalk.