Hearing examiner told under‑building parking is infeasible at Silverdale site because of shallow artesian aquifer, cost and building-code impacts

Kitsap County’s hearing examiner heard testimony June 2 that under‑building (subgrade) parking is not feasible for the Silverview multi‑family project in Silverdale because of a shallow artesian aquifer on the site, substantial added construction cost and code requirements that would change the building form.

The applicant’s hydrogeologist, Michael Pialski of TerraPhase Engineering, told the examiner that borings on the property encountered artesian conditions at roughly 23 feet and 28 feet below grade and that deeper or wider excavation would increase the risk of an uncontrolled artesian breach. “I don’t recommend digging any deeper,” Pialski testified. He said his remand analysis evaluated an additional 6‑foot excavation scenario provided by the project’s structural engineer and concluded the deeper cut would create “an unacceptable risk” because the glacial till cap over the aquifer would be substantially reduced.

Why it matters: the county remanded the project to clarify feasibility of subgrade parking and the extent of wetlands. If under‑building parking were required, the project team said the site’s geology and building‑code constraints would force design changes that significantly raise costs and alter the planned garden‑style apartments.

Most important facts

- Hydrogeology: Pialski testified borings B-5 and B-6 (drilled for the project) encountered water at about 23 feet and 28 feet below…