By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Get busy working or find your checkbook, the latest LLC owner of the blue-wrapped house at Old Mill Beach was told Thursday.

The town’s Blight Prevention Board plans to start fining, after two weeks, the owner of 233 Hillspoint Road, a property formerly home to restaurants and a few years ago rebuilt as a home with features exceeding its zoning permit.

Work was shut down, litigation ensued. Last year came a settlement and hopes that work on the house-wrapped eyesore would once again progress.

But, no.

“So, what’s happened is, nothing’s happened,” Steve Smith, the town’s building official, told the Bright Prevention Board on Thursday night. “The zoning permit is on the verge of lapsing.”

Michelle O’Nofrio, town building assistant, shared side-by-side photos of the property from 2021 and 2023.

“It doesn’t look like it’s changed much,” said Chairman Joseph Strickland.

Smith gave the commission a briefing. He recapped zoning violations under a previous owner, and said that about six months ago, the property changed hands.

The Planning and Zoning Commission issued zoning permits calling for removal of the chimney and cupola, Smith said.

“Subsequent to the zoning permit for that, I issued a building permit, to remove the violations,” he said.

“Once the zoning violations are removed, then the zoning department would agree to issue a zoning permit to commence construction,” Smith said.

“It’s my contention that this is not undergoing renovations … it can be blighted,” Smith said.

Mary Gai, a real estate broker representing the property owner, an LLC, said there had been supply chain issues and contractual issues.

“The reason it’s been blue all this time is they wanted to put the siding on but they were told they couldn’t,” Gai said, adding that her client shouldn’t be punished.

“This is a premier property,” she said. “I don’t know if you’ve seen the renderings but they’re spectacular. This is going to be a gorgeous house.”

Strickland asked Gai if the house is on the market and she said yes.

“As I recall, there’s no real supply chain issues with demolition,” he said. “So, I don’t have much sympathy for any excuses not to have done that work within the last six months.”

Rick Constantini of FLB Law, representing the LLC, argued several points but seemed to irk board members.

“I wish they’d get off the dime and get going,” said board member Russell Blair.

Constantini asked what specific blight condition were being cited.

Strickland said the house was not under construction, there was no siding, and the site was kept in an untidy fashion.

Smith interjected, suggesting the property owner be given 30 days to remove the violations, and that the matter remain before the board so the owner could demonstrate remodeling or construction.

“I’m trying to figure out how the chimney or the cupola are a blight,” Constantini said.

Board members pounced.

“We’re trying to help you out,” Strickland told him. “Here’s what’s going to happen. The blight is no siding — end of story. Get the siding on it.

“We can fine you till the cows come home …” Strickland said. “I would use our advice and get started on that tomorrow.”

“We could make it two weeks, then start the fine,” Smith said. “I’m leaning toward that.”

“I’m tired of excuses,” said board member Stephen “Rick” Burke.

Blair also wanted it stipulated that the demolition debris from the unpermitted chimney be removed from the site.

Thane Grauel, the Westport Journal executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Learn more about us here.