Milton planners grant final approval for Dairy Queen

The Milton Planning and Zoning Commission has granted final site-plan approval for Dairy Queen to build a new location on Route 16.

The commission did not put any conditions on the approval at its Dec. 16 meeting, but commissioners asked town staff to look at whether there should be a streetlight along Grove Circle at the intersection with the entrance to the commercial area in front of Cypress Grove, where the Dairy Queen will be located. The commission also asked Dairy Queen representatives to make some corrections to its plans to reflect the number of trees on the property and the separation distance for the water line. 

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

Plans are for the Dairy Queen and Dunkin’ franchises to share access off Route 16. 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 new McDonald’s on Route 16.

The commission had first heard the application in January 2025, but it was tabled for 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. Preliminary site-plan approval was given in May 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. 

After receiving preliminary site-plan approval, Dairy Queen then pursued approval from state and county agencies before coming back to the Milton planners for final approval.