Westport building official Ralph Souza has ordered the owners of a $3.65 million Westport Point home to stop construction on what appears to be a large infinity pool retaining wall, as the project was not properly vetted before the Westport Historical Commission before he issued a building permit.

The large concrete structure at the rear of 2015 Main Road is just barely visible from the road, and clearly visible from the water. The property is owned by the ANC Nominee Realty Trust, which purchased the home and 1.157 acres in June 2021. The property is currently assessed by the town at $2.7 million.

The stop work order came after point residents reached out to commission chairman Rud Lawrence last week to ask what was going on with the structure. He wasn’t aware of it but after learning more about it, contacted Souza and requested the stop work order. It was issued Friday.

Home owners in the historic district must seek a certificate of appropriateness from the historical commission when they plan such construction, if it is visible from any public way, including the water. Massachusetts general laws state that “no building or structure within an historic district shall be constructed or altered in any way that affects exterior architectural features unless the commission shall first have issued a certificate of appropriateness, a certificate of non-applicability or a certificate of hardship.”

In this case, Lawrence said, the project never came before the historical commission before a permit was issued.

As long as the order is in place, the homeowners can be fined $300 per day if they don’t comply and continue construction. Lawrence said he spoke to the homeowner, and expects an application for certificate of appropriateness will be submitted for commission review prior to its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 4.