A public meeting on updates to design guidelines for the Suffolk Historic Conservation Overlay District has been scheduled for March 13.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 442 W. Washington St.

Those at the meeting will be asked to comment on the city’s historic character and help come up with goals and concerns that pertain to the preservation of the built environment, along with the improvement of downtown and the surrounding area.

The Suffolk Historic District was established in 1978, expanded in 1999 and reflects the boundaries of the Historic Conservation Overlay District. The district has three sub-areas within it — residential areas, the historic urban core and historic entry corridors.

The historic urban core includes properties fronting North Main Street from East Washington Street to Finney Avenue, and East and West Washington Street from Lee Street to Pinner Street, and the eastern edge of the historic district.

The historic entry corridors include commercial areas along West Washington Street and North Main Street between the historic urban core and the outer edge of the Historic District.

Buildings less than 50 years old, or that have been significantly altered over time and don’t contribute to the district’s historic character, are not considered to be historic, according to the city.

For more information on the public meeting, contact the city’s Planning and Community Development Department at 514-4060 or email PlanningEmail@suffolkva.us.