The Town of Hempstead Landmarks Commission held off on making a decision as to whether the Stevens Home will be landmarked.

At a public hearing on Tuesday night, the manager of the Stevens family's trust said that restoring the house would be too costly and that potential buyers want to demolish it.

Christine Keller, a Bellmore resident who presented her case on why the house should be landmarked in February 2011, was given a chance by the commission to come up with recommendations of possible buyers who want preserve the home by the next meeting on Feb. 28.

Keller said that she is still hopeful that the Stevens Home will be landmarked.

"I feel that we will work together with members of the community and get this," she said. "The Landmarks Commission is interested, but it was brought forth that the home could not be maintained."

David Weiss, trustee of the Stevens' trust and chairman of the Town of Hempstead Zoning Appeals, said that the house is falling apart, there is not enough money to maintain the grounds and contracts are in place that could lead to the demolishing of the home.

"The amount of money it would take to restore it is economically unfeasible," he said. "Restoring it would cost $50,000 plus buying costs and people who are interested in buying it want to knock it down."

The home, located at 2396 Bellmore Ave., was built by Charles Stevens, a local bayman, in 1923. Construction of the foundation of the home began as early as 1917. 

The following is Keller's submission to the town's Landmarks Commission. It gives a description and history of the Stevens Home:

"Stevens, a machinist by trade, ran the Bellmore Ferry Service to High Hill Beach and owned three ferry boats. His wife, Pauline Annie, managed The Breakers Hotel on High Hill Beach.

"The home was built with and for their son Stan (1896-1972) and his wife Lucy (1898-1974) who had a daughter, Joan (1933-2010). Stan, Lucy and their daughter Joan were Quakers and congregated at the Quaker Meeting House in Wantagh.

Joan Stevens lived in the house until she died.

Keller said that the Stevens Home is not in poor condition as Weiss claimed.

After she and her friend, Theresa Greene, investigated and researched the history of the home, they connected with Long Island Traditions, an organization that documents local architecture.

Nancy Solomon, folklorist and executive director of Long Island Traditions, performed an architectural survey of the Stevens Home and found that the original design and features were well preserved and are still clearly visible.

"I understand the commission's concerns if the house was in the state that David Weiss was predicting," Keller said. "There would be certain updates to the house that would be made, but according to Long Island Traditions, the home is no different than any other landmarked homes in the area."

The next meeting will be held on Feb. 28 in Hempstead Town Hall at One Washington St. at 4:30 p.m.