Park-and-ride lots OKd near light-rail stations

Small park-and-ride lots will be allowed near Southeast Seattles four light-rail stations, under an ordinance passed Monday.

City policy has been to prevent commuter parking, because officials want to see high-density homes and shops, rather than seas of asphalt along the $2.6 billion Sound Transit line.

But the recession slowed development prompting Seattle to allow park-and-rides for three years.

We want to see these lifeless, empty parking spaces serve a use, at least until the economy rebounds, said City Councilmember Sally Clark. The parking lots require a crushed rock or paved surface and a 40-space limit, except El Centro de La Raza on Beacon Hill, at 100 spaces.

If all possible spaces were created, they would total 1,275, the city estimated.