The combination of paved and steep roads and curves leads to both the charm and frustration of driving on the Mountain — a combination of four-wheel-drive vehicles, common sense and slow speeds works the best for safe driving. Maintenance for community roads is provided by annual assessments, outside vendors and property owners who volunteer. It is an ongoing process to take care of the roads with the majority of the work done from April to October.
Snow and ice can and do occur; ice, in particular, can be extremely hazardous on steep mountain roads. The usual procedure is to let Mother Nature take care of removing the snow and volunteers help out with the ice on the steeper portions of the roads. It is quite usual for residents to park one of their vehicles near the clubhouse when a storm is approaching. A four-wheel-drive vehicle with chains is recommended for those who must get off the Mountain during a winter storm. Most residents simply wait it out.
Weather conditions on the Mountain are sometimes extreme; however, most of the time the weather is enjoyable and the views are great; the Mountain is a wonderful place to live and observe the elements. As Fairview Forest residents know, weather conditions vary greatly between the top and the bottom of the community, given the 2,000 foot difference in elevation. Most of the time the weather is nice, snows are few and springs are rainy. The "green" of spring moves up the Mountain while the Autumn color moves down. It can be foggy at the top of the Mountain and sunny at the bottom.
Fairview Forest average approximately 54 inches of precipitation annually and 35 inches of annual snowfall. For additional weather info and monthly weather summaries, visit TheWeatherCorner.com, an independent online partner web site.
Emergencies occasionally happen. If you have a medical emergency, you will find that help will be on the Mountain in a relatively short period of time, even during bad weather. Emergency vehicles are equipped to handle the roads during the worst of storms.
It is important to display your house number clearly at the entrance to your property/driveway so emergency services can easily find you.
Forest Fires
If you see a fire on our Mountain, call 9-1-1. If you see a fire on a nearby mountain, call the Asheville Forest Fire District at 667-5211.
Who To Call
For vehicle mishaps, contact the State Highway Patrol at 298-4252. For other problems (dog leash laws, noise complaints, etc.), call the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department at 255-5000.
Every community has annoyances and from time to time, the Mountain is no exception. However, things happen differently here in the mountains.
Outdoor Lights — Spotlights, security lamps, and so forth may not bother your closest neighbor but may shine way up on another side of a mountain.
Noise — The sounds from loud radios, musical instrument practice sessions, or machinery may carry to unusual places.
Pets — Dogs do bark! And sometimes for very good reason. If a dog barks because there is a forest critter in the yard, that's good. If it just barks to entertain itself or to complain hour after endless hour, you have reason to complain. County regulations stipulate that dogs are supposed to be on their own property, under voice control of owners, or on leashes. Whatever the pet, we know it is very special to you but others may not enjoy having a favorite plant visited frequently.
Wild Critters can become pests (raccoons and larger mammals, even bears). It is not a good idea to feed them or to leave things out which will attract them. Among the wildlife seen on the Mountain are snakes, skunks, raccoons, squirrels, deer, coyotes, bobcats, bears, wild turkeys, bats, and owls. [Reference: Wildlife, Bears]
People — Most problems can and should be worked out between neighbors. "Please" and "Thank You" help.
Garbage and Trash Removal
A private garbage/trash removal service, Waste Pro of Arden (828-684-7790) visits the Mountain every Thursday. Residents make their own arrangements for the service. Your refuse should be out by 7 a.m. It is requested that you do not put your garbage and trash out the night before (especially during the spring and summer months). Critters love to see those cans there for them to 'trash'... and they do!
For those who may not require weekly trash pickups, there's the Transfer Station on Brevard Road. The Transfer Station is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is where residents can drop off trash for a small fee. Loads in pick-up trucks, vans, or small trailers are charged per ton at the Transfer Station. During all open hours recyclables can be dropped off at no charge including lead-acid batteries, newspaper, corrugated cardboard, blue bags or commingled recyclables, including #1 and #2 plastic; aluminum cans; clear, green, and brown glass; and steel cans. The Transfer Station is located off I-40, exit 47 (Brevard Road/Hwy. 191); follow the direction signs from there. Buncombe County Transfer Station (250-6205), Buncombe County Landfill (645-5311).
The Fairview Post Office (zip 28730) is located on Highway 74-A near the Food Lion, convenient to most of us as we go about our daily routines. There is no door-to-door mail delivery in Fairview Forest, however, we do have a series of cluster lock-boxes in a shelter near the clubhouse. Contact the post office to secure a box and key. Items that won't fit into your cluster box are placed in the parcel boxes and a key is left in your mailbox. Some residents who travel or are not able to check their mailbox every day prefer to rent a box at the post office.
Alternate package deliveries are door-to-door, in most cases, by United Parcel Service and Federal Express. Most suppliers make deliveries; a great deal depends upon how accessible your particular driveway is for them to access.
AT&T is our telephone service provider and they will work with you to help plan your telephone needs and answer questions you might have about telephone line services you can expect here in the mountains.
There is no cable TV in the community. Reception can be described as marginal, if not impossible, without the aid of an antenna or satellite service. Most residents have a satellite system and, in these days when communication is so important, those new to the community should take the time to carefully consider line-of-sight issues and available options for television and internet so as to not be disappointed later. For internet, DSL is sometimes available and two-way satellite internet (WildBlue, HughesNet) is another option used by a growing number of residents on the Mountain. Highly recommended is point-to-point service from SkyRunner in Asheville for those who have clear direct line-of-sight to either Butler Mountain, Little Pisgah, or Flat Top Mountain (not to be confused with the cell tower atop our own mountain).
Underground wiring and telephone cables are already installed in some areas. Progress Energy (formerly CP&P) and BellSouth will arrange to have them marked for you, or you can make your own arrangements by calling NoCut (1-800-632-4949). There is no charge to you for this service and this will protect you and your neighbors from having lines cut and service disrupted.
Electric — Progress Energy provides service to our area. When weather causes outages, repairs are made in a very reasonable time. Some residents have generators. Some residents do not find the outages that much of a disruption. However, if you have a "high tech" life style and the equipment that goes with it, you may want to discuss the grounding of your house wiring with the Progress Energy experts. It is surprising how many homes are not properly grounded. This service is free, 258-6310.
LP Gas, Fuel Oil — These are not utilities, per se, but need consideration. Propane for cooking, hot water, gas furnaces, and gas logs in the fire place is an option to explore. Propane tanks can be rented or purchased. They must now be placed above ground. If your property is accessible for propane delivery, you may find this a pleasure and competitively affordable. Among the many providers who come up our way are Blossman Gas (667-0437), Southern States (253-9351 ), Suburban Propane (252-4733). Home heating oil is also available from many companies in the area.
Emergencies occasionally happen. If you have a medical emergency, you will find that help will be on the Mountain in a relatively short period of time, even during bad weather. Emergency vehicles are equipped to handle the roads during the worst of storms.
There is no cable TV in the community. Reception can be described as marginal, if not impossible, without the aid of an antenna or satellite service. Most residents have a satellite system and, in these days when communication is so important, those new to the community should take the time to carefully consider line-of-sight issues and available options for television and internet so as to not be disappointed later. For internet, DSL is sometimes available and two-way satellite internet (
