Residential developers who have let or are about to let community dock permits expire will catch a break from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. The corps is changing rules in Lake Lanier’s 2004 Shoreline Management Plan to allow developers with permits that have lapsed or will lapse by 2013 until Dec. 1, 2014, to submit a final residential plat that has been approved by the “local issuing authority” or government. “For new developments seeking a community dock, an approved ... preliminary plat or a letter from the (local government) attached to the plat stating that it meets (local) requirements must be provided,” corps spokeswoman Lisa Parker said.