⚠️ PUBLIC HEARING — March 19, 2026. The Town of Huntington is holding a public hearing on the Melville Crossing application. This is an opportunity for residents to speak on the record. See below for details.
Project Overview
Melville Crossing is a proposed mixed-use residential development at 75 Maxess Road in Melville, within the Town of Huntington. The project as proposed would include:
- 400 residential units
- 16.62 acres of land
- Location within the South Huntington Water District service area
If approved and built, Melville Crossing would represent one of the largest single additions to the SHWD customer base in recent history. The water demand implications are significant.
Water Demand Analysis
How Much Water Does 400 Units Require?
- Average multifamily unit demand: ~150–200 gallons per day (GPD) average daily use
- Peak demand factor: Peak daily demand typically runs 2–3× average daily use
- 400 units at 150 GPD average: 60,000 GPD average daily demand
- Peak demand estimate: **116,000+ GPD**
The Melville Crossing project is projected to generate peak daily water demand exceeding **116,000 gallons per day**. This is not a marginal addition — it represents a substantial new load on SHWD’s wells, treatment systems, and distribution infrastructure.
What 116,000 Gallons Per Day Means in Context
- SHWD serves approximately 18,000 accounts
- At ~75 gallons per day per household, 18,000 households use roughly 1.35 million gallons per day
- Melville Crossing’s 116,000 GPD peak demand = roughly 8–9% of the district’s estimated total residential daily demand from a single development
The Melville Crossing project is projected to generate peak daily water demand exceeding 116,000 gallons per day. This is not a marginal addition — it represents a substantial new load on SHWD’s wells, treatment systems, and distribution infrastructure.
Infrastructure Impact on SHWD
Well Capacity and Aquifer Stress
SHWD draws from Long Island’s sole-source aquifer system. The district’s wells have already been rated highly susceptible to contamination. Increased groundwater withdrawals to serve new development add stress to an aquifer that is also the source of the district’s 1,4-dioxane problem.
Treatment Capacity
The district is currently investing $7.95 million in Treatment Plant 10 to address 1,4-dioxane. Additional demand means additional water volume that must be treated to the state’s 1 ppb standard before delivery. Treatment capacity must be sized to the demand it serves.
Distribution Infrastructure
400 new units require connection to the existing distribution network. Depending on the condition of existing mains in the 75 Maxess Road area, new or upgraded pipes, pressure zones, and service connections may be required.
The Capital Cascade
SHWD already has ~$17 million in capital projects committed over the next five years. If Melville Crossing is approved, additional capital investment to accommodate the new demand would layer on top of the existing pipeline — financed primarily through bonds authorized by the Town Board and repaid through ratepayer property taxes.
The Developer Gap
One of the most significant financial questions raised by Melville Crossing: what will the developer contribute to SHWD infrastructure?
Based on available public records:
- Developer financial contribution to SHWD infrastructure: $0 disclosed
- System construction charges collected from all developers in 2024: $73,975
- SHWD annual debt service paid by ratepayers: $3,400,000
Source:
SHWD 2024 Audited Financial Statements
A 400-unit development generating 116,000+ gallons per day of peak demand. $0 in disclosed developer contribution to SHWD infrastructure. The infrastructure cost of serving Melville Crossing, if approved, would be borne by the district’s 18,000 existing ratepayers.
Public Hearing
📅 PUBLIC HEARING: March 19, 2026
Where: Town of Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743
When: March 19, 2026 — confirm time with Town Clerk: 631-351-3206
What: Public hearing on the Melville Crossing development application
How to Speak at the Hearing
- Arrive early — sign in to speak if a sign-up sheet is available
- State your name and address clearly when called — required for the record
- Keep comments focused and specific — typically 3–5 minutes
- Stick to facts and questions — water demand, SHWD capacity, developer contributions, ratepayer impact
- Submit written comments — written comments become part of the official record even if you don’t speak
Suggested Topics for Public Comment
- What is the developer’s proposed contribution to SHWD infrastructure to serve this project?
- Has the Town received a formal water capacity assessment from SHWD for a 116,000+ GPD peak demand addition?
- What is the projected impact on SHWD ratepayer bills and property taxes if infrastructure must be upgraded?
- Does the environmental review address cumulative water demand when combined with other pending corridor developments?
- What bonding, if any, will be required from SHWD to accommodate this project?
Cumulative Development Context
Melville Crossing does not exist in isolation. The broader Route 110 corridor is being positioned for densification, enabled in part by the $66 million New York Avenue sewer project** currently under construction. When sewer infrastructure is complete, the corridor can support additional large-scale development — each adding to the cumulative load on SHWD.
Document Library
Melville Crossing Application Documents
Appendices:
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Appendix H
Appendix I
Appendix J
Appendix K
Appendix L
Appendix M
Appendix N
Town of Huntington Records
- Hearing Notice — March 19, 2026 — Town Clerk: 631-351-3206
- Bond Authorization Resolutions — Town Clerk: 631-351-3206
Sources: SHWD 2024 Audited Financial Statements; Town of Huntington public records; standard water demand engineering benchmarks. Developer contribution figure reflects disclosed public records as of publication date. Verify current hearing details with Town Clerk: 631-351-3206.