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The revised plan was offered to the state Department of Environmental Quality that was the result of meetings between nearby property owners and marina general Warren Corteggiano to lessen their concerns.

Under the alternative plan, the number of proposed floating slips is reduced from 58 to 40 on the west pier, causing a reduction in that dockage area to 117 feet and the relocation of a proposed walkway from the eastern end of the north pier to reduce what neighbors termed as potential congestion, safety and navigation issues.

"We are a large marina service facility and more boaters are expecting the kind of service that we offer on a daily basis," Corteggiano said. "Under the revised plans, this would create a safe haven for all boaters."

Corteggiano said the slips were reduced not because they were not needed but because they wanted to be a good neighbor. He also said the marina has eliminated "slip parking" from the proposal, making boaters back their watercraft into the well-traveled waterway.

"The water passage was also revised from 168 feet to 202 feet, which will easily allow four lanes of traffic through with 50-foot lanes," he said.

There would also be a large area where boaters could unload their craft and become re-familiar with it prior to launching.

County soil erosion officer Heidi Lang, who has worked with DeWitt's for two years on this proposal, said she likes the idea of a floating dock, adding it will minimize the impact on the waterway.

She also said the docks will provide some fish habitat, and she appreciates the fact the marine was working with the residents on the revised proposal.

Three Lakes Association treasurer Norton Bretz said his association has taken a neutral position on the matter, opting instead to gather the necessary information from all involved and present it in the local media.

"We're happy to have them as members of our organization, but our role is primarily to foster communications between the two groups and we will actively do that," he said.

As a result of resident outcries, a new lake association, the Friends of Clam Lake, was formed to review the proposed concept. According to a public statement from the Friends, released the morning of the public hearing, more than 87 percent of the members responding to a survey concerning the latest revision to the proposed dock expansion indicate their opposition to the plan.

Megan Raphael, a Friends board member, said "the majority of our membership, now approaching 300, is opposed to DeWitt Marine's proposed floating docking system and our board has taken the position that it is not in the best interest of Clam Lake to have docks that extend into the water impacting public right of way, safety, capacity and environment."

"The vast majority of letters and e-mails opposed DeWitt's original plan. Now we have 87 percent of the survey respondents turning thumbs down on their latest design proposal. We are committed to our membership and mission of ensuring the continued quality of Clam Lake and the safe public and private use of this wonderful treasure in the Chain-of-Lakes," Raphael said.

At least one resident, Bob Metrick, wished the project well and said the area needed it.

"These are business people, and they have the right to develop the property and add value to the community," he said. "I would like to see them go ahead and execute their business plan."

Gail Fran expressed concern about the safety aspects of the proposal, adding that the docks proposed would only be a small help to the entire Clam Lake waterway, adding there are number of boaters seeking spaces.

"I have a summer home on the east side, and I am seeking the congestion and the boats more and more," Dan Campbell said. "All of the people are coming up here to enjoy the beauty of the land and water, and every year there is more and more people and congestion."

He said businesses come up north to make money and they don't care how the funds are realized.

"In the summer, this place turns into a real bottleneck," he said. "It could result in jam-ups, collisions and flared tempers."

Marina employee Chris DeWalt said the firm has been a good neighbor to the community and has been willing to work with the residents.

"I have seen DeWitt Marine make some compromises," he said, "but I have yet to see the Friends of Clam Lake make any."

Another marina employee said the main issue is public trust, and he did not see, under the revised proposal, where the public's trust was going to be invaded.

"There is a lot going on here," Scott Sentieri said. "This is not going to be a seasonal dock. I don't think the city of Traverse City is going to pull their docks in and out on a seasonal basis. I don't think we can do so either. These are 70-foot sections, and they're going to come apart."

Environmental quality analyst David Jentoft, who conducted the hearing, said all comments would be considered and additional comments are being taken until the Feb. 10 cut-off date.

Following that, the DEQ has three options for the permit that are issuing it as is, issuing it with modifications or denying the permit entirely. A timetable was not given for a final decision.