A parcel of state trust land in Silverdale is set to be developed for workforce housing after the state Board of Natural Resources approved the direct transfer of the parcel to Kitsap County during its meeting Wednesday morning.

 

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources previously managed the 27.1-acre Ridgetop parcel, which Congress gave to Washington at statehood, to support the construction of public schools. But what was once rural forestland became surrounded by development, making it more complicated to manage the parcel for commercial forestry.

 

The parcel is now isolated from other forestlands and zoned for high-density residential development, and because it is adjacent to residential development and state Route 303, it is a prime opportunity for infill development to minimize urban sprawl.  

 

“Too many people around Puget Sound are feeling the crunch of the critical shortage of housing, especially Washington’s working class, and the development of the Ridgetop parcel into affordable housing is an important way to make public lands work for the public good,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, who leads DNR. “By using this land to support much-needed housing in Kitsap County and using the revenue to acquire lands to support our public schools, we have created a win-win for both local communities and the state.

 

“I am grateful for the years of hard work from my staff and Kitsap County to complete this transaction. The positive legacy of this transaction will be felt for decades to come.”

 

DNR will use the $5.625 million the county spent to purchase the property to acquire other lands that are better suited to generate revenue for the Common School Trust, which supports K-12 school construction across Washington state.

 

The size and location of this property near downtown Silverdale and the St. Michael Medical Center makes it a rare opportunity for a community campus that protects Clear Creek and forested trail access but also provides opportunities for affordable and workforce housing,” said Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes, who previously championed this project as a state senator. This has become a great collaboration between the state and County to meet multiple community needs.”

 

In recent years, the Ridgetop parcel has become a nuisance property, facing ongoing problems with illegal dumping, trespassing, and criminal activity. A cleanup this spring removed 12 tons of trash from the parcel, and Kitsap County was able to connect people who had been living on the parcel with appropriate social services while performing that work.

 

The parcel will be developed for affordable housing and maintain some open space, and it includes a portion of the Clear Creek Trail.

 

The Board of Natural Resources meeting, typically held on the first Tuesday of each month, was postponed to Wednesday because of the Fourth of July holiday.

 

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Communications Manager

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