Melville Crossing Debate Intensifies As Coalition Mobilizes Young Residents, Schools Raise Concerns

HUNTINGTON, NY — A local housing advocacy group has launched a targeted outreach campaign to encourage young residents to weigh in on a proposed Melville development ahead of a key public hearing.

The Huntington Township Housing Coalition is sending text messages to residents ages 18 to 35, urging them to participate in the Town Board’s March 19 hearing on the proposed Melville Crossing project.

The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Huntington Town Hall, located at 100 Main St.

According to project materials, Melville Crossing is designed as a neighborhood that blends residential living with commercial and public spaces.

Plans call for: A mix of studio, one-bedroom and limited two-bedroom apartments, a smaller number of for-sale condominium units, retail shops, restaurants and community gathering spaces and a central promenade and green spaces designed to create a pedestrian-friendly environment.

Developers say the project is intended to appeal to a wide range of residents, including young professionals, first-time renters, empty nesters and seniors.

Twenty percent of the residential units would be designated as affordable housing for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

The project would also include housing incentives for first responders.

Steel Equities said the redevelopment aligns with the Town of Huntington’s Melville Town Center Overlay District (MTCOD), which encourages mixed-use, transit-oriented development.

Coalition leaders said the effort is designed to bring younger voices into a process they say often lacks participation from that demographic.

“Young people across Long Island are increasingly being priced out of the communities they grew up in,” Huntington Township Housing Coalition President Hunter Gross said. “We want to make sure their voices are heard when decisions are made about housing and the future of our communities.”

The text campaign includes a link allowing recipients to quickly email Town Board members, along with information on how to attend and speak at the hearing. Organizers said two rounds of messages will be sent ahead of the meeting.

The proposed Melville Crossing development would include a mix of rental and ownership housing, with 20 percent designated as affordable units. Plans also call for retail, dining, and public open space in a walkable, mixed-use setting.

Advocates say projects like Melville Crossing are key to addressing Long Island’s housing shortage, which they say has made it difficult for young professionals and families to remain in the region.

“Too often, young people care deeply about issues like housing but aren’t plugged into the traditional channels where local decisions are made,” Gross said. “Meeting people where they are — including through text outreach — helps make sure their voices are part of the conversation.”

The outreach effort comes as the Half Hollow Hills Central School District has raised concerns about the broader impact of large-scale residential development in the area.

District officials recently warned that proposed overlay zoning districts could increase housing by as much as 15 percent over time, potentially leading to higher student enrollment without sufficient data to predict the impact. Officials also cited concerns about tax revenue if developments utilize Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements.

The district said it is working with the Town of Huntington and developers to establish agreements that would hold projects financially accountable if student enrollment rises beyond expectations.

While the district maintains a neutral stance on development, it has urged town officials to carefully consider potential impacts on schools before approving projects.

Residents can submit comments to the Town Board or speak during the March 19 public hearing.