Steve Hardin

wants his backyard back.

For over a

year, the Senoia resident has complained that runoff and sediment from

the new development on Rockaway Road, Hutchinson's Cove, is washing away

his yard.

Last week,

Hardin took his complaint to the City Council, who agreed that something

should be done and voted to hold any future building permits until the

developer answers questions about his retention pond.

City attorney

Drew Whalen told the council the issue was really between the developer

and the homeowner, but the council wanted to see something done about

the situation.

"I just

think I've been taken advantage of as a citizen of Senoia," Hardin

said.

City administrator

Murray McAfee said the problem is the drain in the retention pond, which

has turned into a sediment pond, is clogged, and is allowing massive amounts

of water to rush over Hardin's property.

McAfee suggested

a pipe be placed from the development through Hardin's property to drain

the water, but Hardin didn't like that idea.

"Why do

I have to make the sacrifices? Why can't they run a pipe and drain the

water on the road?" he said.

Councilman

Robert Belisle wondered why this problem wasn't addressed earlier. Whalen

said a developer has to submit a plan for water runoff to the EPD, but

the EPD does really not have an enforcement agency in place to make sure

the plan is followed.

Belisle suggested

the city would have a remedy to the situation if the pond was placed in

the area reserved for a buffer. McAfee said he would examine the subdivision's

plans and see if the developer had left sufficient buffer area.

In the meantime,

Hardin will continue to make videos of his property being washed away

"We wanted

to have a swimming pool in the backyard. It doesn't look like that's going

to happen now," he said.