Dangerous views
Dwight Otwell

From the Porch

There was no where else to go. My only choice was to begin backing down the steep, gravel road.

Dirt and gravel slid off the side of the precipice as I looked over the edge and far below to the valley. I held my breath as I backed around a sharp curve. I tried to keep the vehicle's wheels in the exact center of the narrow road, because to the left was a deep ditch which would strand me far from civilization if the car rolled into it.

Much more terrifying was the sheer drop-off over the edge of the mountain to my right. A mistake in that direction would bring certain death. I prayed that I would encounter no other vehicles venturing into this no man's land.

Sounds a bit dramatic, doesn't it? But its not much of an exaggeration. I have been on roads much like that in new developments around the area. Developers, eager to build houses for those people moving to our area, often cut corners when it comes to roads. Most roads in subdivisions developed in the past few years are much too narrow - often so narrow that if vehicles meet going in opposite directions, one vehicle will have to back up until it finds a place to pull over. Even if the the road isn't that narrow, it takes highly accomplished, hand-eye coordination for the drivers to pass each other without scraping or taking a mirror off.

People moving to our area from the flatlands love the scenic, mountain views. Realtors will tell you that land with a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains will bring a premium price. So developers are building homes hanging off mountain sides and on mountain ridges. Some of the roads to these lofty perches are ridiculously dangerous for passenger cars. But what about emergency vehicles?

If a person has a heart attack or is severely injured at one of these sites, it is difficult to get ambulances in. However, even more troublesome is the prospect of fire. Fire trucks are long and need to be able to reach burning brush or forest fires or homes. A recent brushland fire, which started at the base of Wilscott Mountain outside of Murphy, rushed up the mountain and consumed one home and got to another before fire fighters were able to save it.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 7 approved an amendment to the Fire Code that sets out stipulations for developers to make road widths in subdivisions a minimum of 20 feet. Aroad grade can be no greater than 10 percent. Also, gates at gated communities must be siren activated so fire trucks can enter in case of fire.

All local county governments should have similar regulations. In Cherokee County, it is too late for many homeowners. The regulations only affect new subdivisions. Those existing are grandfathered in.

Even though the new regulations are a little late in coming, I applaud the county commission for approving them. Some developers won't like it and will complain that it will cost them money, which they must pass on to homeowners.

That's too bad. Developers can cut a little off their margin of profit and add a little to the cost of the homes. People's lives are much more important than greed.