Commission designates Dairy Queen pole sign on North Dixie Freeway as vintage

The Historic New Smyrna Beach Preservation Commission voted 4-0 to designate the pole sign at 729 North Dixie Freeway, adjacent to the Dairy Queen, as a vintage sign, saving it from a pending city removal deadline.

Planning Department staff told the commission the single-story commercial building dates to about 1953 and that photographic evidence and research indicate the pole sign is one of only a few surviving examples of mid-century Dairy Queen pole signage. "The planning department recommends that the historic New Smyrna Beach Preservation Commission designate the pole sign located at 729 North Dixie Freeway . . . as a vintage sign," a staff member said during the presentation.

Staff reviewed the city's vintage-sign criteria under Ordinance 108-11 and the land-development regulation (section 604, paragraph 12, subparagraph h) and concluded the sign meets the age requirement (30 years or older), is in good structural and working condition, retains a majority of its character-defining features, and "exemplifies the historic heritage of the city," per the staff evaluation. Staff also noted prior research sources used, including the book Vintage Signs of America and the Roadside Architecture website.

Commission members asked whether a separate rooftop sign was covered by the same rules. Staff said the rooftop sign had previously been granted a variance by the zoning board, that the variance "runs with the land" and has no expiration date, and that the pole sign was the subject of the current application. The applicant did not attend the meeting; staff said the applicant had a family obligation.

A commission member moved to approve retaining the historic pole sign; another member seconded. The clerk called the roll and the commission recorded four votes in favor, zero opposed. The motion passed.

City staff noted that the city's land-development rules currently require the removal of non-permitted private pole signs by Nov. 29, 2025, unless a sign is designated vintage under the ordinance. With this designation, the Dairy Queen pole sign will not be subject to that removal requirement. Staff also said the designation adds to a small local inventory of designated vintage signs that currently includes other downtown and commercial examples.

The commission closed public participation for the hearing and moved on to other agenda items. The designation takes effect as an action of the commission; staff will process the paperwork to reflect the new status.