CENTRAL CITY — The Central City Planning Commission were given a preview of the proposed 2026 Comprehensive Plan at their October 7, 2026, meeting at City Hall. The meeting turned into a workshop, with a public hearing on the plan to be scheduled after proper public notifications.

Dena Hunter, Bobbie Hill, Matt Wise, Steve Tricarico, and Denny Denson were in attendance, with Community Development Director Jack Noffsinger representing the city.  

Obermeier/Sheykhet Architecture, Inc. was the lead developer of the plan. It was funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).

Public surveys were conducted and public input included in the development of the new plan. The comprehensive plan from 2020 contained 91 pages, while the 2026 plan with appendixes has expanded to almost 300 pages.

Alexander Sheykhet from Obermeier/Sheykhet Architecture, Inc. was the sole speaker at the October 7, 2026, Central City Planning Commission workshop meeting. Sheykhet gave an extensive presentation on the 2026 Comprehensive Plan document.

Photo by Wes Isenhart

Alexandr Sheykhet from Obermeier/Sheykhet gave a presentation of the plan to the commission and spoke about key concepts and conclusions. Sheykhet said that the plan is intended to be a living document with evolving adaptations, but should form a firm guideline for development over the next two decades.

Key concepts included the use of the term “villages” to designate cohesive areas that are related through topography, history, or patterns of growth. Villages compose the core unit of the new plan and are divided into “areas of stability” and “areas of growth.” It is considered a more encompassing term than "neighborhood."

Areas of stability are considered areas that are intended to remain stable, preserving their existing or historic character, while areas of growth will see new development, increased building height, greater density, and mixed use.

Sheykhet had slides of maps of different areas of Central City, like Winnebago Hill and Eureka Valley. Transportation needs and corridors between the villages were also discussed.

Concerns from the commission members included building height, transportation options, a parking garage near Main Street, and ATV use on city streets. The relocation of William C. Russell Park also arose.

Initial reactions from the commission members were generally positive. Denson said he loved it, while the Chair, Hunter, said it was moving in the right direction.

Other than the plan, commissioners entertained a proposal, with the help and partnership of Black Hawk, to create a link between the Maryland Mountain Hidden Treasure Trailhead and the Virginia Canyon Mountain Park above the ARGO. This would use abandoned tramway routes to create one of the premier mountain bike networks along the Front Range .

The next planning commission meeting will be on November 4, 2026, at 6 p.m. If proper notifications are given, this will be a public hearing on the new comprehensive plan. It will be a chance for the public to weigh in on the plan prior to a commission vote to send it to the City Council. Contact Community Development Directory Jeff Noffsinger at jnoffsinger@cityofcentral.co or 303.582.5251 ext. 30 for more information about the Central City 2026 Comprehensive Plan.