By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — When the town and the owners of 233 Hillspoint Road settled a lawsuit over unpermitted construction elements six months ago, there was hope the years-long saga over the highly visible beachside property might finally be over.

But since the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the settlement in July, little has happened at the two-story, blue-house-wrapped structure on Old Mill Beach.

Work that had not been approved by the town was to be undone. But in the meantime no zoning permits to do that work have not been issued, according to the Planning and Zoning Department.

The unfinished, elevated house looms over the beach and Hillspoint Road, surrounded by chain-link fencing.

It now appears the owner, 233 LLC, is seeking to sell the house with four bedrooms and one heck of a view. The requested sales price, however, was not immediately clear, since the property is listed on various realty websites at prices ranging from $4.9 million to $7.9 million.

Following a recent windy storm, the broker’s sign was blown down, and some of the house wrap was flapping in the breeze.

While the property is in limbo, the town appears to have limited options.

Deputy Planning and Zoning Director Michelle Perillie said that because a time limit to undo the unpermitted work was not part of the settlement, there’s little the department can do in that regard.

But, she said, the Town Attorney’s Office is considering speaking to the building official about referring the property back to the Blight Prevention Board.

The property was on the blighted properties list before settlement of the litigation last year.

The waterfront site was once home to a succession of restaurants — notably, Café De La Plage and Positano’s.

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.