I agree with Sacramento Dave about the hidden motive here. Has your friend
offered to meet with "the enemy", so he can simply ask them what needs to
happen in order for anything to proceed? Why ask that question? Simple:
Docks need constant maintenance, or they only get uglier, and sometimes
dangerous. Certainly the town doesn't want THAT to happen, so they're
holding out for SOMETHING.

Can he get the inspector to tell him it's already a dangerous structure, and
put it in writing? If yes, then he's got a good reason to invite the press
in for a look. They will ask why the town will not let him repair a
dangerous structure.

The other possibility is that they've seen boat repair facilities that look
like junk yards. Some of them get that way. You'd think they'd just come out
and say that, and stipulate certain appearance requirements.