Facilities Master Plan

Existing Conditions

Sensitive Areas, Trees 

The maps below show sensitive areas located on the GRCC main campus based on information from the King County GIS Center at the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES). There are a number of sensitive areas on the south portion of the property owned by the college, and just a few sensitive areas on the developed portion of campus. Most of the sensitive areas are limited to a section south of the bluff that extends to the Green River and located several hundred feet from the campus’ southernmost building. 

• Landslide areas reach their northernmost point at the top of the bluff.
• Erosion hazards border the Green River. Seismic hazards are located just south of the Green River and along SE Auburn Black Diamond Road.
• There are no significant wetlands as noted in the national wetlands inventory. However, there are some potential wetlands located throughout the developed portion of campus.

Wetlands and Significant Trees

This map shows wetlands and significant trees located on the developed portion of campus. Wetlands can be found just north of the TI complex, on the east side of Parking Lot A, north of Parking Lot I, north and south of Parking Lot G, and west of Parking Lot E.  

The Green River Nature Trail brochure published by GRCC highlights trees of interest on the main part of campus. Notable trees are identified in orange and yellow. Yellow trees have the potential for being protected and not replaceable with development. All of the potentially protected trees need to be evaluated for size on an individual basis; if the trees are small or unhealthy they would not be sacred and could be replaced by development. 

Figure 13. Wetlands and Significant Trees 

Trees

The campus environment and form is distinguished by the heavily forested site. Most of the campus is densely and beautifully filled with trees and shrubs. This strengthens a sense of intimacy on the campus and closeness to nature. However, the density also blocks daylight and contributes to a closed-in feeling, particularly on dark and rainy Northwest days. 

Figure 14. Trees

Site Character

Site character studies were completed to gain an understanding of the overall campus structure and to assist in future development alternatives. Campus structure is largely dependent on building location and massing. There are a number of projects currently underway and those projects are included as ‘givens’. For more details, please refer to Capital Planning. 

Figure 15. Existing Site Plan