The Martha’s Vineyard Commission last Thursday postponed a vote on Vineyard Haven resident Donald Muckerheide’s proposal for 12-unit condominium development on Dukes County avenue in Oak Bluffs, voting instead to send the project to the commission’s land use planning committee.

Mr. Muckerheide, who has a history of animosity with the commission, left the hearing midway through deliberations.

Following the hearing, Mr. Muckerheide said the commission was intentionally making the application process difficult for him. He said he was first on the agenda of last Thursday’s meeting, though the commission didn’t review his plans until last, and said commissioners have focused unfairly on negatives about the project, many of which he says are unfounded.

Mr. Muckerheide said commissioners have ignored positives such as letters of support from neighbors and his plans to sell the units for no more than $350,000 each with restrictions on weekly rentals. Mr. Muckerheide plans to create 12 two-bedroom condos on two commercially-zoned lots at 114 and 116 Dukes County avenue.

The property has been used since 1978 for various businesses including a farm, an automobile business and antique shop.

Several commissioners raised concerns that Mr. Muckerheide recently changed the design for the project, adding several gables and shed dormers on the roof. Several commissioners said the changes have created a “moving target.”

“There are so many loose ends here, it’s hard to make sense of the thing,” commissioner Chris Murphy said.

But Mr. Muckerheide argued he made the changes in response to suggestions from the commission’s staff, namely executive director Mark London. Clearly frustrated, Mr. Muckerheide withdrew his latest sketch about midway through the hearing. And when the commission took a break, Mr. Muckerheide got up and left the building.

Following the meeting, Mr. Muckerheide reiterated his criticism of the commission.

“Frankly, they don’t know what they are talking about . . . they ask for one thing, then they ask for something else. It’s clear some of them are against this proposal no matter what,” he said.

Mr. Muckerheide compared his proposal to the Bradley Square affordable housing proposal down the street. He said his project offers affordable units without deed restrictions or subsidies from state or federal agencies. He also argued his project has had on-site parking from the start and is more environmentally friendly than the Bradley Square project.

Some commissioners last Thursday argued the project is too big for the neighborhood, while others argued it was an appropriate use for the commercially zoned neighborhood.

“This will not be out of character for Oak Bluffs, which has had large buildings for a long time,” said commissioner James Athearn.

After two hours of debate, the commission voted 5-4 to send the matter back to the land use planning committee, at which time commissioners may discuss with Mr. Muckerheide what type of changes may be acceptable. The land use planning committee is scheduled to review the plans on Monday.