MADISON, Wis. -- Another potentially troublesome hurdle has emerged for the controversial Edgewater Hotel expansion project in Madison's downtown.

SLIDESHOW: See Images Of Edgewater Hotel Plan

Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources said on Monday that that the developer backing the project to expand the historic hotel must get state approval for its famous pier and another lake structure. Right now, the plan's proposals don't appear to meet state standards, they said.

Sue Joseph, the head of the DNR division in charge of pier permits, said their concerns about the proposals are based on what they've seen so far. Joseph, who is the leader of the Lower Rock River Basin and in charge of permitting both components, said that there are dimension and usage problems -- both with the long pier in the Edgewater project and a deck-like pier platform -- it terms of meeting state DNR code.

Grabbing dinner and a drink on the famous Edgewater pier has been a key attraction for the hotel and it appears to be a key piece of the current proposal.

For instance, Joseph said that a platform pier used for dining couldn't be approved because that would be "privatizing" a portion of the lake and the lake is in the public domain, WISC-TV reported.

As for the long pier, Joseph said there are width and length concerns about how it would impact public boat navigation, as well as fish habitat underneath it.

She said the developer, the Hammes Co., has been told to apply for approval for both structures, but it hasn't so far.

She said it could take perhaps 90 days or longer to review and get public comment on such components.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.