Milton planners approve Dairy Queen preliminary plans

The Milton Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved preliminary site plans for Dairy Queen to build a new restaurant at Cypress Grove off Route 16.

The planned restaurant would be 2,100 square feet with a drive-thru and 33 parking spaces. The Dairy Queen would front Route 16 and be located next to a planned Dunkin Donuts, which has already been given preliminary site-plan approval. The property is zoned C-1 commercial. 

Engineer Mark Davidson, on behalf of owner John Schatzschneider doing business as 302 Chicken LLC, said Dairy Queen would be sharing access with Dunkin Donuts off Route 16. He said among the changes made to the site plans, the loading zone was moved to allow for clear access for both Dunkin and Dairy Queen, and the location for the dumpster was relocated and enclosed. Davidson said Dairy Queen is planning to use a ground-mounted monument pole sign that will stand out but will be within town code. A ground-mounted sign is similar to the one used at the McDonald’s on Route 16.

The commission had previously heard the application in January, but it was tabled to get more information. Dairy Queen had been asking for three signs – a front-facing sign and two signs on the building facade – at the parcel and was planning to go before the board of adjustment for a variance, but canceled that hearing and revised the plans so the signs comply with code.

The commission approved the preliminary plans with a number of recommended small changes, including showing bike racks on the plans, adding a stop sign to the front exit and changes to the size of the parking spaces as depicted. 

Dairy Queen will now go to state and Sussex County officials for additional approvals before coming back to the commission for final approval.