CUMMING, Ga.,None — A judge Thursday ordered builder Pulte Homes to fix erosion problems in Forsyth County.
A jury already decided last week landowners near a Pulte development deserved a record award of $2.5 million for the damage from silt and runoff.
A weed-strewn wetland used to be a pristine pond out front of Sally Lawson's house on Ryan's Bluff Drive in Cumming.
"We had geese that used to come out here. Now they don't. Nothing comes out here. I mean; there's snakes in it," said Lawson.
The jury found the Pulte subdivisions built nearby triggered years worth of erosion.
Court documents showed problems went unfixed despite multiple stop work orders from the county and warnings from the companies own consultants.
"The arrogance that Pulte showed, they just didn't care," said homeowner Mac Trent, who will share in the award.
The landowners said they offered to settle early in the six-year fight for $300,000. Attorney Don Stack said the trial and the loss will now likely cost Pulte $5 million.
"It's beyond dumb. It truly is a reflection of either arrogance or absolute disregard for other people's rights," Stack said.
At the morning hearing, a judge gave Pulte 90 days to make repairs.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted a Pulte spokesperson as saying they're disappointed in the verdict and look forward to a fair resolution. Pulte said they plan to appeal the decision.
WSBTV
