Projects, projects, projects

Parking was scarce at the Central Kitsap Community Council meeting Wednesday as a variety of topics were discussed including the new Oxford Suites planned for Bayshore Drive, the Legacy Farm project and the Community Campus.

Silverdale attorney William Broughton, fielded questions from the community council and audience regarding the proposed 104-room hotel. Inclement weather kept Baney Corp. representatives from making the trip from Portland, Ore. to the meeting held at the Silverdale Water District/CKFR building on Newberry Hill Road.

“It’s not clear what’s being proposed,” said Carol Smiley, CKCC member. She raised concerns about the building’s proposed sunlight basement, which would make the east side of the structure five stories.

Dave Petersen wondered if parking on the site was adequate, considering the popularity of the nearby businesses.

Kitsap County Commissioner Patty Lent stepped out of the room during the discussion to avoid the possibility of removing herself from discussions later if the issue is brought to commissioners.

The proposed hotel is set to go to the Kitsap County Hearing Examiner Dec. 11, but a Dec. 3 meeting with the CKCC is tentatively set to answer ongoing concerns.

“This is not a public hearing,” said CKCC president Carl Johnson.

“We’re not the judge and jury on this,” he said.

Broughton couldn’t answer many of the questions lobbed at him, but he said subsequent meetings would address all the concerns.

In other business before the CKCC, Scott and Peggy Hall presented information about the Legacy Farm project that would preserve Silverdale’s agricultural history.

About four years in the making, the project would provide a agricultural education center on the former site of Meadowlark Dairy owned by Gerry Petersen.

“This is as good as it gets,” said Scott Hall as he held up a jar filled with dark black soil. The Legacy Farm is poised to get it non-profit status. The group would select board members and move forward with the Great Peninsula Conservancy to get a conservation easement for the land east of the Trigger Avenue exit, just north of Silverdale.

The Council also heard from the county on completing its land deal for the Silverdale Community Campus project. The $3.5 million purchase of the 7.2 acre Severson property is complete but it’s just the beginning.

“This is a legacy we can leave to our children. Now we have to come up with the money,” said Hank Mann-Sykes, CKCC vice president. The 10-20 year project would include a new Silverdale Library, senior and teen centers, a performing arts center among other community amenities.

The next regular meeting of the CKCC is scheduled for 7-9 p.m., Dec. 17 at the water and fire district building at 5300 Newberry Hill Road.

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