The Huntington Town Board on Tuesday will take up scheduling public hearings on a proposal to create a walkable downtown in Melville.
Town interest in developing the area has grown over recent years as the demand for office space has declined. At the same time, some Melville residents have complained about the increased use of vacant properties by freight carriers, and housing advocates have been lobbying for more homes.
Information about the “Melville Town Centre” circulated last week on social media after some Huntington residents were emailed a two-page letter from Supervisor Ed Smyth detailing the plan. A town spokeswoman said that the information had been sent to Melville residents but a number of Huntington and Huntington Station residents reported receiving the email.
At the heart of the overlay proposal to create mixed-use space is Maxess Road, with plans for wide sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians and diners, creation of parks out of town-owned properties and buildings with first-floor retail space requiring residential space on the seco6nd floor. Rooftop dining would also be permitted.
“Our goal all along has been to transform Melville into an economically viable region of Huntington, without diminishing the value of surrounding homes. This proposal will stimulate economic and social activity in Melville by attracting major investments of private money into the area,” the emailed letter from Smyth said.
The hearings are tentatively proposed for April 30 at 7 p.m. at West Hollow Middle School; May 7, at 2 p.m., at the Town Board meeting at Town Hall and June 12, 7 p.m. Town Board meeting.
Town leaders have had a series of public sessions in recent months to gauge interest.
The Town Board meets Tuesday at 2 p.m.
