A controversial project in Bellevue is before the Stormwater Management Commission. It involves seven apartment buildings along a flood-prone area.
Stormwater Management Commission Review
The Stormwater Management Commission will hear from Cypressbrook Company on September 5, 2024. The company is responsible for Ariza Bellevue. Its proposal involves seven apartment buildings, totaling over 417 apartments. The apartments would be situated along the Harpeth River, with the main entrance off Coley Davis Road.
According to the plan, the company plans to extend the greenway that ends on the other side of the tracks of Morton Mill Road. However, to fulfill its plan, the company must disturb a floodway. Ariza Bellevue is requesting a variance from the stormwater regulations.
Devin Schultz, the president of the Harpeth Crest Homeowners Association, said that several culverts, drainage ditches, and other apparatus keep things flowing in the right direction. These are important as the Metro required the HOA developer to enter into a stormwater management agreement where no one is allowed to put anything there and to create a stormwater detention system.
However, Cypressbrook Company is looking to change that. Schultz believes that the new plan might jeopardize their system. According to him, it’s a serious concern for the community as it’s a sensitive area. Homes within Harpeth Crest were flooded twice in eleven years despite the detention system.
Resident Concerns
Steve Scioscia has owned his property for over 25 years. He lives downstream from the horse farm where Ariza Bellevue is planned to be located. Scioscia has 600 feet of river frontage on his property. According to him, many projects along the river have increased the water level on his property right next door.
In February 2023, NewsChannel 5 spoke with a land architect from Cypressbrook. The architect discussed raising Coley Davis Road to prevent roads from flooding but did not discuss the greenway extension.
On September 5 (Thursday) at 8:15 a.m., the Metro Stormwater Management Commission will meet from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to discuss the issue at the Howard Office Building.
