While the Bradley Square renovation project in Oak Bluffs continues to generate controversy before the town zoning board of appeals, another project just down the road that is similar in some ways is starting to generate some heat before the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

Vineyard Haven resident Donald Muckerheide, a vocal opponent of the Bradley Square project over the past nine months, initially proposed a nine-unit, three-story housing project in a business-zoned district on Dukes County avenue, a few blocks away from the Bradley Square site.

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

Mr. Muckerheide initially proposed an unusual restriction again short-term rentals, which he argued would keep property prices down and benefit the affordable housing market. Following a contentious public hearing before the commission on August 7 — during which Mr. Muckerheide talked about the effects of weekly rentals — he changed his plans.

He is now applying for an 11-unit housing complex with a stated goal of providing housing for year-round residents. He plans to pursue the project under the guidelines of the state Local Initiative Program, with three of the units to be sold to qualified applicants making 80 per cent or less of the average median income.

Mr. Muckerheide, a vocal critic of the commission, was openly combative in a written list of offers he submitted to the commission on August 28.

“Due to the apparent lack of comprehension by the MVC board members of the effect of the weekly rental on the affordability of residential housing . . . I have decided to offer a more accepted and understood method of extortion by changing my offer to a LIP 40-B equivalent,” he wrote.

He stated in the letter that he has removed the no-rental policy from the market-rate units, although he still intends to “try and sell to Islanders for residential use to prohibit weekly rentals.” He said rental restrictions will be left to the condominium association with a suggested minimum rental of 30 to 90 days.

Mr. Muckerheide was also truculent during a public hearing before the commission last Thursday night, a review of the video of the meeting shows. At one point he veered off the subject of his application to the broader topic of the commission’s power to review developments of regional impact (DRIs).

“I don’t want to risk being a DRI for life, which basically condemns a property to foreclosure,” he said.

Both Douglas Sederholm, chairman of the commission, and Richard Toole, chairman of the public hearing, urged Mr. Muckerheide to stay on topic.

Mr. Muckerheide said his project will improve the aesthetics of the Dukes County avenue neighborhood.

“Look around [this neighborhood], it’s all structures with vinyl siding and peeling paint. This neighborhood is on the rebirth. When you start to get carried away with whether this project fits in with what is there, it might not be the best way to look at it . . . this might be the best looking thing in the neighborhood,” he said.

“You’re suggesting this is the best looking thing in the neighborhood?” asked Mr. Sederholm.

“I guess that’s a matter of taste,” Mr. Muckerheide responded.

“Yes. I guess that is,” Mr. Sederholm responded.

During public testimony, most of those who spoke are supporters of the nearby Bradley Square project, a mixed-used project featuring affordable housing, a community and cultural center and living and work spaces for artists.

Holly Alaimo, owner of the Dragonfly Gallery, said she wasn’t necessarily opposed to Mr. Muckerheide’s project, but said she wanted to see more detailed plans.

S. David Wilson, a member of the Cottage City Historical District and town historical society, offered a more pointed criticism.

“I cannot accept the argument that this will be not be visible in the neighborhood . . . I think when it goes up people will be appalled . . . if this project were approved in its present form, then I [couldn’t] believe why we even have a [Martha’s Vineyard] commission,” he said.

But others urged people not to be put off by Mr. Muckerheide’s confrontational style.

“Don’t judge this only on his rough comments. I think this man is very sincere,” said Yann Meersseman.

“I thought you had some good ideas,” said commissioner James Athearn. “So don’t judge us . . . at this stage the commission is supposed to be neutral.”

The hearing will continue on Sept. 18.