NATCHEZ — Area residents can expect a few new dining tables around which to join sometime next year.

Bingo Starr — the chef at the Carriage House — received approval of a site plan from the Natchez Planning Commission Thursday for a new restaurant.

Starr plans to open his restaurant, aptly named Union, at 301 N. Union St.

The commission also approved separate variances to eliminate the setback requirement to allow the placement of a Dumpster and eliminate parking requirements at the proposed restaurant site.

Natchez City Planner Bob Nix said the restaurant will be using nearby onsite parking. The site is zoned B-2, which is a business district to provide businesses on major thoroughfares and protect residents on abutting properties from impacts of commercial activity.

Nix said the planning department is looking into eliminating B-2 zoning in the downtown area because it is a suburban-style zoning plan with parking standards not appropriate for downtown.

Nix said the department is planning to draft a B-3A zoning ordinance with more appropriate parking standards for downtown.

In other news from the meeting:

•Nix reported to the board that the planning and preservation commissions meet in the same week next month. He said both commissions should expect Roth Hill casino developers to submit applications for approval. He said the applications will address minor amendments to the casino site plan and compliance with conditions of previous approvals.

•The board voted to recommend to Mayor Jake Middleton that Butch Johnson be appointed chairman on the commission.

If appointed, Johnson will replace Chairman Deborah Martin who has served the maximum two-term limit for a chairperson.

•The commission approved an application to allow a change in ownership of Sunset View Cottages.

•The commission approved the subdivision of the parking lot between The Guest House and The Prentiss Club. The Guest House will continue to use the parking area and the remaining area will go to The Prentiss Club.