Commissioners deny bridge changes

Flathead County commissioners on Monday unanimously rejected a request for several changes to the controversial bridge connecting Dockstader Island to the North Shore of Flathead Lake.

The developers of the bridge project, Jolene Dugan and Roger Sortino, had filed a request to amend their bridge permit, which has been opposed for years by area residents who contend the project degrades the ecological and aesthetic qualities of the lake.

Dugan and Sortino wanted to add structural bracing underneath the 540-foot bridge, along with 32-inch safety railings along both sides, according to the amendment application. The amended plan also included removable backlit statues, additional lighting and an extension of the adjoining dock.

County planning director Mark Mussman said the applicants also wanted to extend the dock construction’s timeline to June 2017. He recommended against approving the changes to the dock, which he said would have exceeded the 8-foot maximum width for docks on Flathead Lake.

During the 15-minute public comment period, eight Bigfork-area residents testified against changing the bridge permit, with many focusing their comments at the bridge itself.

Several identified themselves as members of the Community Association for North Shore Conservation, which is suing the county over the original permit. The organization’s chairman, Dave Hadden, was among several speakers to characterize the landowners’ approach to the permitting process as “piecemeal.”

“I think it’s a completely inappropriate addition to this structure that is going to completely change the character — more so than the bridge structure already does — for that area,” Hadden said.

Opponents also criticized the proposed cross-bracing, which they said would pose a safety hazard to watercraft trying to pass under the bridge.

Representing Dugan and Sortino, Kalispell attorney Richard DeJana said the amendment was largely an attempt to address safety concerns raised by area residents.

“Let’s focus on the issues here,” DeJana said. “If there’s somebody to blame for those two changes, it’s their lawyer, because we cared about trying to meet some of their demands.”

All three commissioners echoed the opponents’ concerns before voting to deny the request.

“You’ve changed this substantially,” Commissioner Phil Mitchell told the applicants. “Those parties have done a very poor job of presenting this from day one ... I agree with the comments that they should have done their homework a bit better.”

In denying the request, the commissioners also rejected the timeline extension, although it would only have applied to additional work on the dock itself.

Dugan and Sortino have until June to complete the bridge and the dock under a permit extension granted last year. It was the fifth permit extension granted since the project initially was approved in March 2011.