East Central Area Plan (ECAP) -
Summary of Information

About the East Central Planning Area

The East Central Area Plan is a comprehensive 270-page document to plan future changes in our neighborhood over the next 20 years, adopted in 2021. To make it easier to review the plan yourself - below are some resources that may make this process less cumbersome as they provide consolidated information. 

Please follow the links below for additional information:

• Major Recommendations in the East Central Area Plan: A one-page summary of Major Recommendations Relevant to the City Park Neighborhoods

• An overview video of the project

• East Central Area Plan presentation

• Review the full 270-page plan here

Forming a Conservation Overlay District within South City Park

In 2018, as the ECAP (explained above) was in process and conversations were happening about a sense of place and neighborhood character, a group of neighbors came to SCPNA to organize a presentation on a Conservation Overlay District, kicking off a years-long project. The South City Park Neighborhood Conservation Overlay Draft presented below is the result of a multi-year, community-led process to guide new development in a way that reflects neighborhood character while remaining responsive to change. Grounded in extensive community engagement, the overlay establishes clear, form-based standards for materials, roofs, porches, bulk plane, and street trees to preserve the architectural features, public realm qualities, and sense of place that residents value.

Equity was a guiding consideration throughout the development of this overlay. South City Park neighbors and the project team approached conservation with the understanding that design tools can influence who is able to live, build, and remain in the neighborhood. As a result, the overlay was intentionally structured to support housing diversity and gentle density, including duplexes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), apartments, and group living, consistent with existing zoning.

To mitigate potential unintended impacts on residents, conservation standards were focused on public-facing design elements, limited in scope where possible, and applied only to new construction and major exterior renovations. This approach preserves neighborhood character without introducing unnecessary barriers to participation or functioning as a de facto limitation on density or housing type.

By balancing historic character, inclusive growth, and longterm community belonging, the South City Park Conservation Overlay provides a framework that supports both current and future residents.

Read more about the project in our FAQ and in the 2026 Report.

Upcoming engagements: Our March Meeting will be held in person at Montview Manor (1663 Steele Street) and will have opportunities for community members to review the elements covered in the report with Radian, Historic Denver, and Community Planning & Development.

You will also have an opportunity to talk to Community Planning staff about the Unlocking Housing Choices project and learn how this overlay intersects with proposed changes to the zoning code.

Can’t make it to the meeting? Review the 2026 Report linked above and take the survey! We will be collecting feedback until April 13th.