The Stormwater Management Commission on July 10 approved a variance for Metro Parks and Greenways to construct a segment of the 440 Greenway from Sevier Park to Battlefield Park that includes a pedestrian bridge over Browns Creek, retaining walls within newly mapped stream buffers and approximately 123 cubic yards of uncompensated fill in the floodplain.

Harrison Turner, presenting for Metro Parks, said the project runs between the north side of Interstate 440 and adjacent neighborhoods, crosses at Craig Lane, and will tie into Battlefield Park. "We are requesting uncompensated fill, to be able to put in a pedestrian bridge...and retaining walls and stream buffers along 440," Turner said, explaining the grade between the interstate and roadway requires benching and retaining walls to achieve an ADA-compliant route.

Commissioners and staff discussed the environmental and design constraints. Staff requested a no-rise analysis as a condition of approval; Turner and staff told the commission a no-rise study had been submitted and reviewed by Metro Water and was approved by Jamie James of Metro Review. The applicant described about 122.9 cubic yards of uncompensated fill for ramp approaches to the bridge, and the retaining-wall lengths were described on plans as roughly 1,600 linear feet of walls within stream buffers, with heights varying from small sections (2–3 feet) up to about 8 feet in steep sections.

Residents raised concerns and sought more detail. Joseph Poult of 2709 Craig Avenue and Tyler Middleton of 947 Gale Lane said they were generally neither for nor against the project but sought clearer plans and a contact for follow-up; Alyssa Wright of 2812 McNary Lane spoke in support because of safer pedestrian access to nearby parks and schools. Cindy Harrison, Metro Parks Greenways and Open Space division director, said the segment is part of a planned seven-mile 440 Greenway and stressed efforts to minimize tree removal and to replace plantings.

Commissioners discussed maintenance and signage. The commission approved an amendment allowing Metro Parks flexibility to use educational signage at trailheads rather than strict signage placement inside stream buffers. Metro Parks agreed to maintain the immediately adjacent area and to provide planting and mitigation plans; staff noted that maintenance responsibility and mowing rights are typically assigned to Metro employees for greenway corridors.

The commission voted to approve the variance as amended and conditioned on the submitted no-rise study and coordination with staff on mitigation and planting plans. The applicant said it will hold another public input meeting in mid-August; project materials and plans are available on the Metro Parks website.