NATCHEZ — Premier Gaming Group President Kevin Preston addressed the Natchez Planning Commission Thursday, offering a brief update on plans to develop a casino at Roth Hill.

Preston made three announcements to the commission, the first detailing lighting for the 45,000-square-foot space. Premier Gaming has hired a New Orleans company that specializes in historical lighting. Preston said the lighting will seamlessly tie in with the lighting proposed for the Natchez Trails Project.

Preston then announced a final report of a car traffic study on the development will be completed by the end of this month. Once the study is completed, Preston said he would like to review the study’s recommendations with city officials.

Finally, Preston announced that Premier Gaming is working to acquire a bond from the Lane Company, which initially oversaw the casino development, for the park and botanical garden that will accompany the space. Preston said the park and botanical garden will cost approximately $1 million to develop.

“I thought I would have (the bond Thursday), but it’s in the process of going through the Lane Company, and we’ll get that to the city,” Preston said.

“I’ll be coming back every month getting our costs finalized. We feel really good about where we’re at.”

Preston was scheduled to submit site plans to the Mississippi Gaming Commission in April. Preston on Thursday didn’t provide a timeline as to when he will submit the site plans.

In other business:

4The commission unanimously approved the expansion of Herman Price’s upholstery business at 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St. However, Price must apply for variances for maximum lot coverage, landscaping, parking arrangements, and a special exception to expand for noncomforming use. Price must also construct a six-foot wooden wall between his business and the residence next door.