The Martha’s Vineyard Commission spent another three hours Thursday deliberating on the Katama Meadows subdivision proposal, before continuing the public hearing to August 6.

First, however, the commission voted to make the contentious mixed-income development a smaller project, approving a condition that would replace seven of the 26 market-rate home sites with open space, leaving 19 market-rate lots and 26 with income restrictions.

“We do have the authority to do this,” said commissioner Douglas Sederholm, who proposed the condition.

The change would reduce the project’s nitrogen output significantly by eliminating 35 bedrooms, while increasing the proportion of open space from 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the 54-acre development, he said.

The developers’ proposal had flanked the seven lots in question with two open areas, one of 4.4 acres and one of 21.5 acres, which Mr. Sederholm said were insufficient.

“They’re barely connected and it doesn’t work,” he said.

The condition, which also requires equal access to the open space for all subdivision residents, passed 10-4.

“This makes it a better project,” said commissioner Linda Sibley.

The condition also would spare the developers the cost of constructing a road to serve the seven lots, commissioners said.

Mark Gauthier, Daniel McGinn, Brian Smith and chair Peter Wharton voted no, with Mr. Smith saying he would support replacing five homesites with open space, but not seven.

Commissioners also voted to prohibit the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides on all lawns in the subdivision, allowing slow-release fertilizers only for gardens.

The commision must still vote on whether to approve the project overall with conditions, or deny it. The conditions voted on Thursday would only go into effect if the project is ultimately approved.

When the public hearing resumes August 6, commissioners will continue discussing conditions regarding solar power generation for the Katana Meadows homes.