The mission of the Roads Committee is scheduling and planning maintenance and improvements to the 10.5 miles of roads within the community.
Road Maintenance, Repair Procedures
Residents on the Mountain are keenly aware of the condition of the roads they drive on. Some are better than others; some continue to wear well; others are in constant need of maintenance. This is one of the 'mountain living vs. city living' facts of life.
The maintenance and repair of our roads is the most important responsibility that the Board of Directors and
Officers of your Homeowners' Association is obligated to fulfill. It takes approximate 80% of the annual assessments just to maintain the roads and to diligently make improvements.
Driveways
Driveways should be constructed and/or maintained in such a way as to minimize drainage that will damage roads and common areas. Proper ditches, ditch lining and culverts must be installed. No newly created driveways or other access to a property are allowed to be installed by an owner until the owner first obtains a Driveway Installation Permit from the Association Architectural Committee and/or Roads Committee. Click here to download the Driveway Construction Application.
Regulations Provide References
Click here to go to the Roads Regulations section of the website where answers can be found to questions regarding roads-related matters including the Roads Network, Road Names, Rights of Way, Driveway Connections to Fairview Forest Drive, Parking on Roads and Other Common Areas, Placement of Encumbrances on Easements and Rights of Way, the Winter Roads Plan, Driveways, and Driveway Construction.
Roads Chair Outlines Projects,
Goals for 2012 Summer Season
FFHA Roads Chair Gary Bolick announced at April's Annual Meeting that the primary focus for roads this year will be maintenance and improvements where necessary. There will be a large focus on ditches, culverts and drainage, particularly on the uphill side of the roads.
Some resurfacing of roads will take place with an emphasis on keeping organic material off the road surfaces. Bolick is in communication with Emery Paving regarding resurfacing and patching on some roads this summer.
A number of line-of-sight problems caused by trees will be corrected and brush removed. Extensive shoulder and ditch work is already underway and should be completed by mid-summer.
Bolick explained to Annual Meeting attendees that the committee will be working with homeowners on the uphill sides of roads to give assistance with drainage problems. Photo: Upper Fairview Forest Drive where shoulder and ditch maintenance work began several weeks ago.
The ditch line was cleared and sloped to allow moisture to leave the road surface on both sides. The areas
were seeded and residents should soon see fresh grass in the areas where the work was done. There are
signs of improvements and continuing work all along the main road — work to protect the edges of
the roads and improve drainage in the ditches. The scheduling of vendors to clear culverts and ditch lines
has been accelerated this year by the Roads and Green Space committees.
Trees Close to Roads Cause Issues
For Road, Shoulder Maintenance
Vegetation in our community grows fast! When the spring and summer seasons are warm and rainfall is plentiful, you can almost watch things grow. With ten miles of roads to maintain, keeping the forest from literally reclaiming our roads requires renewed efforts every year.
The focus of shoulder and ditch maintenance that began last year continues — establishing shoulder areas free of trees and overgrowth and contouring the shoulders so that moisture runs off the road surfaces.
Some of our side roads have particular problems where trees have been planted too close to the edge of roads. In many cases, trees have grown too large with roots that cause upheaval to the road surface and block ditch lines. Branches rub against vehicles and limbs cause line-of-sight issues.
The on-going improvement projects this summer will be addressing some of these problems on the various roads. In several cases, this means the necessary removal of pine trees or even hemlocks. While the mere mention of this causes controversy, it is becoming a problem that can no longer be ignored or put off until later.
Roads-related issues will be discussed at the Monday, June 4th, 6 p.m. Board Meeting. Property owners along side roads such as Weeping Cherry Forest, Black Oak Forest, and Red Oak Forest need to attend the meeting to be updated on the problems and discuss the work that needs to be accomplished.
Sometimes, placement of encumbrances on easements and rights-of-way can present problems. Encumbrances are defined as fences, gates, trees, shrubs, posts or any items that impede road maintenance, interfere with drainage or create roadside hazards for motorists. Emcumbrances should be at least 15 feet from the edge of the road. (Reference "Regulation: Placement of Encumbrances on Easements and Rights-of-Way".)
Rights-of-way are shown on Buncombe County plat maps. In most cases, owners' property lines extend to the middle of roads in Fairview Forest. There is a right-of-way of 30 feet on either side of the road centerline. That right-of-way was established to build, maintain and improve roads and allows the Association to "repair, maintain and improve" roads and concerns of road damage and road safety.
Summer 2011 Roads Projects Summer roads projects for 2011 included a ditch and shoulder project on Fairview Forest Drive between
Chestnut Forest and Maple Forest Roads. Earlier in the season, a tree trimming project along the main
road cut back overgrowth and trimmed low-hanging limbs. Additionally, paving repairs were made on
many of the side roads in the community.
Legal requirements regarding snow removal: The Restrictive Covenants state that among the purposes of the Association is to "repair, maintain and improve" our roads. However, there is no duty under the Restrictive Covenants and By-laws to conduct snow removal activities. Snow removal is not maintenance nor is it repair. Snow removal is thus a service provided solely within the limits of the Association's budget. This policy defines the parameters of snow removal the Association will undertake. During snow/ice events, all roads shall be deemed "travel at your own risk".
The logistics and expense of snow removal make it very difficult for the community to plow its roads. Each winter season is different and each winter storm event really has to be judged and decisions made at that time.
Snow removal plan guidelines:
• The Association will not attempt snow removal until more than than six inches of snow has accumulated.
• Measurements will be taken generally at mid-elevations (tops of Maple Forest Road/Chestnut Forest Road and at the junctions of Poplar Forest Road and at higher elevations on White Oak Forest Road at Fairview Forest Drive.
• Other important factors include the pending weather forecast and the proximity of warmer weather.
• The decision to remove snow accumulation will be made by the Roads Committee Chair with consensus of the President and at least one other Board member.
• No clearing will take place until the snow storm is over.
• The Association will not de-ice or sand the roads. Homeowners are requested to not use rock salt (sodium chloride) on surfaces to melt ice. We need to protect our wells and our ground water source.
