State rejects Hagadone dock, floating helipad

Coeur d’Alene businessman Duane Hagadone’s plans for a 200-foot commercial dock and floating helipad outside his waterfront home have been torpedoed by the Idaho Department of Lands.

Agency Director George Bacon wrote in findings issued Wednesday that the proposed dock and helipad would have “an unnecessary adverse impact on navigation” along the Casco Bay shoreline of Lake Coeur d’Alene and that the helipad would not provide “major benefits to the general public.” Bacon said it’s more reasonable to construct the helipad on the Hagadone property.

The decision concurs with some residents who argued that the dock and helipad would take up too much of the water’s surface, which is public.

Wilson also noted that the applications were not signed by Hagadone’s two neighbors and contained an improperly drawn map of the shoreline.

Hagadone spokesman John Barlow said he’s still reviewing the decision and isn’t sure if they will appeal or submit a new application.

“The decision, as you can see, is 95 percent based on technicalities,” Barlow said.

He is disappointed, especially because both neighbors either testified in favor of the project or wrote a letter in support, even if they didn’t sign the actual application.

The dock would allow Hagadone to park two large boats used to transport visitors to the property for charity events. The boats would provide restroom facilities for groups of up to 600 people.

Hagadone has begun excavating for a new house at Casco Bay, where he already has a historic log home surrounded by flower gardens.

Kootenai County Sheriff Rocky Watson has an agreement with Hagadone to buy the log home and barge it in two pieces to his Cougar Bay property.