Part of the closed session negotiations about the Roanoke Rapids Theatre will become public next week when the planning board meets to consider a land use ordinance amendment that would allow electronic gaming, including Internet cafes, in the entertainment district.

The planning board meets at 5:30 p.m. on June 21 in the first floor conference room of city hall on Roanoke Avenue.

Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky said the only thing council has directed her to say on the matter is that the perspective buyer of the venue has asked for this amendment as part of the deal to buy the building.

She said she did not who the buyer is. Mayor Emery Doughtie could not be reached for immediate comment this afternoon.

According to a public notice on the city’s website, the hearing will deal with permitted uses within the district, definition of basic terms and to modify a section on the hours of operation.

The notice says substantial changes in the proposed amendment may be made following the public hearing.

What is known at this point is this deal is not tied to an Internet café that will be built on Premier Boulevard.

Michael Dunlow, who owns the land for that project, said the project is still a go.