NEW PORT RICHEY - A nonprofit group with plans to convert the Florida Naturist Park in Hudson into a Christian nudist resort has asked a Pasco Circuit Court judge to order residents to become park members and pay maintenance fees. 
Continuing Care on Monday sued Ray and Delores Cotton and Michael Thompson, alleging the property owners refused to comply with ``deed restrictions.'' 

Continuing Care owns a handful of lots in the 60-acre park, home to nudists and nonnudists, and is acquiring several more lots, said Bill Martin, Continuing Care co- chairman. He plans to create Natura, a family naturist resort, by joining the park with 125 surrounding acres and building new houses, a hotel, pools and a children's water park. 

Martin said his religious organization runs Florida Naturist Park, which two weeks ago formed a homeowners association. Ray Cotton, a park property owner since 1983, and Thompson say Martin has no such authority. 

``He does not have control over these lots,'' Thompson said. ``He does not have control over those roads. He's a minority property owner.'' 

For months Martin has sent letters to property owners demanding they pay $500 a lot to apply for park membership and pay $200 a lot annually in maintenance fees, an amount he expects to increase $50 in July. 

Residents including Cotton, a nudist, and Thompson, a newcomer to the park, have refused to pay the fees or apply for membership. Along with other residents they have staged protests and hung signs opposing Martin's plans. Martin said Cotton and Thompson are the opposition leaders. 

The park never has had a homeowners association, deed restrictions or fees, residents say. Cotton said until recently he used his tractor to maintain the dirt roads, which over the years otherwise went untouched. 

Membership in Florida Naturist Park was automatic when property was purchased, Cotton and Thompson say. 

Martin says that's not so. In fact, he said, the majority of the 70 or so property owners are not park members. Those who don't practice ``social nudism'' are not welcome according to park covenants, he said. 

If a judge rules in Continuing Care's favor, Martin said he will enforce nudity and membership rules and demand the fees be paid. If property owners don't cooperate, he said, more litigation will be filed, which could result in liens and foreclosure. 

Cotton is confident the law is on his side. 

``I look forward to meeting him in court,'' Cotton said. ``I don't think there's a judge in the land who would rule in his favor.''