The West Tisbury planning board deferred a special permit for the long-planned affordable housing project at 401 State Road, continuing the public hearing to await further information from project designers.

The project, which would develop nine affordable rental units for Islanders over 60, has faced some challenges since it was approved at the May 2021 town meeting. In November, 2022 designer South Mountain Co. pulled out of the project, citing dysfunction on the town affordable housing committee.

Union Architects has since taken over design of the project.

At Monday’s select board meeting, Union Architects associate Alanna Jaworski presented the project, which includes five duplex buildings on a now-wooded lot at the intersection of State Road and Lambert’s Cove Road.

But the board asked the group to return with more information on traffic options, the impact on local water resources and landscaping plans.

“I absolutely think this is a wonderful project,” said board chair Leah Smith. “But we want to make sure it is done in the proper way.”

The public hearing was continued to Feb. 12.