The East César Chávez Neighborhood is located adjacent to downtown in central east Austin, Texas. The neighborhood is a mixed-use area characterized by a rich Hispanic and culturally diverse history. The planning areas boundaries include the alley between 6th and 7th Streets to the north, Chicon to the east, Lady Bird Lake to the south and Interstate 35 to the west.

In 1997, the East César Chávez Neighborhood Planning Leadership Team (ECCNPLT) was established for the purpose of developing a neighborhood plan. The Leadership Team included homeowners, tenants, neighborhood association, businesses and non-profit organizations. In August of 1997, the East César Chávez Neighborhood was selected to be one of the first neighborhoods to participate in the City of Austin's Neighborhood Planning Pilot Project. The Planning Team identified the following five critical development issues that threatened the neighborhood and made them a good candidate for a neighborhood plan: the residential and historic character of the neighborhood is threatened; the need for more affordable housing and increased ownership by residents; major development is proposed or underway that represents the potential for major change; zoning and land use issues; crime and safety concerns. The neighborhood signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Austin on January 8, 1998 to begin the planning process.

During the planning process, the ECCNPLT, assisted by the City's Neighborhood Planning staff, gathered information and solicited input through a variety of means. Community outreach involved distributing a neighborhood newsletter, surveying the neighborhood residents, businesses and property owners, forming committees to assist in writing the plan, holding community meetings to solicit additional ideas and providing an opportunity for the neighborhood to vote on the plan. The final plan was passed and approved by Austin City Council on May 13, 1999.