There will be a public hearing at 6 p.m. Nov. 19, in the Niles City Council chambers at the fire station, 1345 E. Main St., so community members can voice suggestions about new local historic district ordinance content.

Amanda Reintjes, greater Michigan field representative, the design committee and the Niles Downtown Development Authority board of directors will be at the meeting to answer any lingering questions about the commercial historic district amendment.

Over the past several months, the DDA design committee conducted four public educational sessions for business and property owners to explain benefits of amending the existing residential historic ordinance to include a local historic district ordinance for the business district.

According to architect Fredda Zeiter, design committee chair, the ordinance seems to enjoy support from Niles property owners and business owners.

“Attendees of our presentations have seen the wisdom of enacting this ordinance and of forming a historic district commission which will protect the integrity of the Niles business district,” said local historian Donna Ochenryder.

“Enactment of this ordinance will insure that the architectural charm and the history of downtown Niles are maintained.”

“We haven’t had one naysayer” once attendees hear the presentation, said property owner Jeanne Watson, who, like Ochenryder, cannot serve on the seven-member commission except in an ex-officio capacity because they live in the township.

Zeiter said there will be applications available at the Nov. 19 meeting for anyone who would like to volunteer for the historic district commission, which will be appointed by city council to consider exterior plans submitted.

“I hope we get a good cross-section,” Watson said Tuesday.

Applicants must live within the city and have clearly demonstrated an interest in or knowledge of historic preservation.