- March 17, 2026
After a fence was constructed outside European Village, business owners raised concerns in a previous article, found here. On March 17, the Hammock Dunes CDD responded this way, in an email to the Observer:
On Aug. 5, 2025, a renewal of the agreement that has been in place since 2002, for the use of the Dunes Community Development District’s (DCDD) property was sent to European Village’s (EV) Management Company. This license agreement outlined a required payment of $35,000, Insurance requirements and a due date of Oct. 1, 2025.
At 4:23 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2025, a representative from EV dropped off a partial payment in the amount of $20,000, as well as an unsigned letter that appeared to be generated by AI requesting vague information that the DCDD was under no obligation to respond to. No insurance certificate was received, nor a signed agreement. The check was summarily rejected.
Typically, renters do not receive the opportunity to pay whatever amount they feel like paying.
Additionally, until this check and correspondence were received there was absolutely no communication from EV regarding the amount or any request to reduce the amount. The DCDD also feels that the license agreement amount is appropriate in relation to the property value.
After Oct. 1, the DCDD’s attorney wrote several letters requesting payment and a resolution to this situation. The DCDD’s attorney also called Mr. Campion, who is a representative of the EV Home Owners Association (HOA). Again, there was absolutely no response from EV.
Temporary fencing was then erected to protect the DCDD’s property and hopefully elicit communication from EV. Still no communication from EV. At this point EV was trespassed from DCDD property. (EV has been Trespassed off DCDD property at least three times since initiation of this arrangement in 2002 due to these same issues.)
The article stated no one knew what was going on. EV HOA members knew all along that they did not pay the full License Agreement amount nor provide Insurance Documentation. It appears that the EV HOA is as incapable of communication with their constituents as it is with the DCDD.
In the past, EV rarely pays their annual License Agreement payment on time and is usually many months late. This has been an ongoing problem since the initial agreement in 2002. EV also forgot to mention that their rent was reduced during the economic downturn in the early 2000’s to help with the difficulties of the economy. The DCDD has also suggested that EV install its own entrance off Palm Harbor Parkway or find alternative parking if they do not want to pay the DCDD fees. EV is a constant late payment problem for the DCDD where thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees have been expended to compel them to pay license fees in the past. The DCDD installed gates to protect their property and ensure insurance is in place if EV wants to use the DCDD property for a fee.
There would be no gates if EV would pay their license fee on time and provide insurance or at a minimum discuss this issue with the DCDD. Patrons of EV do not need to worry about the DCDD locking the gates at a moment's notice. The DCDD will install a 4-foot by 8-foot sign near the entrance to the parking lot that outlines the date the gates will be locked should EV not pay the license fee or provide insurance in the future. There will be approximately 30 days notice prior to closure of the parking lot.
Signed,
Gregory L. Peugh, P.E.
District Manager, Dunes CDD
