City planning staff reported two pre‑application projects to the Economic Development & Tourism Committee: a proposed conversion of the former Mile Hill movie theater into a combined dance and gymnastics facility with a small cafe and public event space, and a small‑scale apartment proposal on Pottery Avenue south of the middle school.

Nick Bond, community development director, said the Mile Hill building would require substantial interior demo because the theater has sloped floors. He described the proposal: "There would be one large gymnastics area and then several individual dance studios," plus a small cafe near the entrance and some public event space. Staff said developers indicated they plan to level the interior and reuse the structure rather than demolish and rebuild.

On Pottery Avenue, Bond said a developer has returned with a revised site plan for a 24‑unit apartment project near the middle school. The project area requires a sewer extension; Bond reported the developer contracted with a city contractor to construct the sewer line, and that the gravity sewer extension is being installed to serve the corridor. "They're extending the gravity sewer up Pottery to be available to serve their project," Bond said, and staff expects that investment increases the likelihood the project will proceed.

Committee members noted the area is attracting other development activity, including a storage facility and a park‑and‑ride/park project for which design and funding remain underway. Bond said the sewer lift station connected to the Sedgwick/Sydney park‑and‑ride is close to complete design and that some construction sequencing is driven by federal funding restrictions for the park‑and‑ride.

Staff characterized both pre‑applications as in early stages; the Mile Hill proposal is moving through design questions and the Pottery Avenue project has returned to staff with a revised plan after an earlier pre‑application several years ago. No formal permits or approvals were reported as issued for either project at the meeting.

(Reporter note: City planning staff can provide project files and permit timelines on request.)