Planning commission approves Dairy Queen site plan, urges relocation of oversized ‘spoon’ feature

The Green City Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve a site plan for a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill at 4015 Maslin Road, but asked the applicant to reconsider placement of a large red “spoon” feature and imposed several technical conditions.

Architect Josh Drummond of David Plagiaran Architects said the phase‑1 plan is for a 2,900‑square‑foot building with 46 interior seats, a 22‑seat outdoor patio and a drive‑through; the site plan shows 35 parking spaces, including two accessible spaces. "This is phase 1 here," Drummond said, describing future phases and pedestrian connections.

Planning staff recommended approval subject to outstanding engineering comments, final engineering sign‑offs, fire‑department requirements (including a Knox box), separate permits for signage and issuance of a certificate of use and compliance before the business can open. Staff also noted that a traffic impact study may be required when later phases are proposed.

Commissioners spent significant time on the proposed large red spoon display. One committee member said the spoon "would be very visible from the street" and cautioned that multiple oversized product features could make Maslin Road look like "the Las Vegas Strip." The applicant said the spoon is a marketing element and that its location can be adjusted; Drummond noted past stores have varied spoon placement.

Commissioners and staff also questioned the site entry geometry and drive‑through stacking, noting the truck‑turning exhibit in the submittal used a large vehicle and that deliveries to the site typically occur early in the morning. Planning staff said the site can function but highlighted a tight entry and the need to manage pedestrian crossings where the walkway crosses the drive‑through lane.

A motion to approve the site plan passed after a second; the approval includes conditions that require the applicant to comply with engineering comments to the satisfaction of the city review engineer (including determining whether a traffic impact study is necessary as the project develops), to underground certain utility crossings along Massillon Road as required, to satisfy all fire comments (install a Knox box), to secure required signage permits, and to obtain a certificate of use and compliance prior to operation.

The commission asked the applicant to revisit the spoon location so it is less prominent from Maslin Road and suggested placing it closer to the patio or the building’s walkways. The applicant agreed to consider those changes. Next steps include final engineering sign‑off, any required traffic analysis for later phases, and separate sign permitting and compliance checks before opening.