County approves Bull Lake dock variance, allows Walker dock but denies shore‑path variance

Lincoln County commissioners addressed two lakeshore applications in their June 25 planning session: a Bull Lake floating‑dock request (Gro John) and a Dicki Lake application (Walker). The board approved the Bull Lake dock and related variance and approved the Walker floating dock while denying the Walker variance for a proposed 150‑ft gravel path and pad.

For the Gro John Bull Lake application, planning staff said the applicant proposed a polyethylene‑shell floating dock with composite decking anchored by pre‑cast concrete blocks. Because low water required an extended dock, the applicant requested a variance to exceed standard dock length. Planning staff and the planning board found no evidence the longer dock would materially diminish water quality or habitat and noted the proposed length was similar to nearby docks. The commission approved the lakeshore permit and the variance with conditions.

For the Walker application on Dicki Lake, staff said the applicant proposed a floating dock and a separate 12x12 gravel pad with a walking path up to 150 ft long and a proposed 6‑ft width. The planning board recommended denying the variance due to missing slope‑stability and erosion‑control information and requested more detail on retaining measures and runoff controls; commissioners approved the dock itself but denied the variance for the shore path and pad, instructing the applicant to reapply with additional engineering and bank‑stabilization plans if they want the path.

Commissioners emphasized safety and soil‑stability concerns for steep banks and asked applicants to provide more detailed mitigation plans before granting permanent shore‑encroachment approvals.