Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve trail grant and several lakeshore permits; deny one variance pending stabilization plan
Summary
The board approved a $110,000 NRDP task order for the Norgard Trail Head, extended the Route 56 RV Park permit one year, approved a Bull Lake dock variance and approved a floating dock at Dickey Lake while denying a path/grading variance pending bank‑stability engineering.
Lincoln County commissioners approved several planning items on June 25, including a task order under an NRDP grant to build the Norgard Trail Head, and considered multiple lakeshore permit requests.
The board approved Task Order No. 3 for the Norgard Trail Head (approximately $110,000) to construct a 5‑foot‑wide trail over prepared base material, a 60‑by‑60‑foot parking area with subsequent paving if funds allow, 4,400 feet of fencing to separate the trail from adjacent subdivision lots, installation of a vault toilet, gates, and signage. Staff confirmed roles and reimbursement terms consistent with the maintenance agreement previously adopted by the board.
On planning permits, commissioners granted a one‑year extension for the Route 56 RV Park (new deadline July 15, 2026) after staff reported that septic, approach and most site work are complete.
A lakeshore permit and variance for a Grojohn property on Bull Lake — to allow an approximately 80‑foot dock where standard limits would be shorter — was approved with conditions after planners found no evidence the dock would materially diminish water quality, habitat or navigation when placed in line with neighboring docks.
By contrast, commissioners approved a floating dock application for a Walker property on Dickey Lake but denied the applicant's wider variance request for a 150‑foot gravel walking path and significant bank work. The planning board had recommended denial of the variance pending additional slope‑stability, erosion control and material‑retention plans; commissioners agreed and told the applicant to reapply with engineered bank‑stabilization documentation or consider alternative access such as a neighbor agreement or using the nearby public boat ramp.
During public comment earlier, resident Maggie Craig raised concerns related to subdivision activity and stream classification at Shriber Creek, noting that Fish, Wildlife & Parks, USGS and county planner data showed perennial flow while a developer‑hired engineer had reported intermittent flow during construction. Craig suggested that using developer‑retained engineers to justify less stringent riparian protections could create a conflict and urged the county to heed planner recommendations for further soil and water investigation.
The board also approved a recommended comment letter to the court in a property‑division case involving the estate of Valerie C. Sarf, stating that no attempt to evade subdivision review was evident and asking the judge to require access, water‑rights clarity and fire‑risk reduction measures if the court orders the division without MSPA review.
Next steps: applicants denied the variance may reapply with additional engineering and mitigation plans; the trail and permit conditions will be implemented as funds and schedules allow.
