The fate of a historic cottage near the Oak Buffs Library may be decided by the Martha’s Vineyard Commission early next year.

The owner of the 650-square-foot summer home wants to tear it down. The house was built in the 1870s and moved from the Camp Ground to Beryl Way around 1905, according to a listing by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Engineer George Sourati and designer Keith McGuire, representing property owner Joseph Parham, told the commission last Thursday that plans to relocate the building had changed course when Oak Bluffs building inspector Mark Barbadoro informed them that doing so would require bringing it up to code.

But Paul Foley, the MVC development of regional impact coordinator noted that the building inspector had also said historic properties could be moved without necessarily triggering the same requirements. It was unclear whether Mr. Barbadoro would acknowledge the house as historic.

A motion by the Oak Bluffs historical commission in August to recognize the house as historic failed in a 2-2 vote. But in testimony before the MVC Thursday, historical commissioner Barbara Baskin and architect Doug Ulwick argued passionately that the house should be saved, given its good condition and close resemblance to houses in the Camp Ground.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way,” Mrs. Baskin said.

Mr. Parham, the owner, did not attend the hearing.

Commissioners plan to obtain a statement in writing from the building inspector, and a clarification of the owner’s plans for the property.

In terms of the house’s significance, however, commissioner Ernie Thomas again cited the Massachusetts Historical Commission listing as grounds for protection.

“I don’t see where there is any question,” he said.

The hearing was continued to Jan. 5.