Last week, the city council's committee on the built environment discussed a bill that would allow businesses in Southeast Seattle to convert up to 40 parking spaces to paid parking for light-rail commuters (and, in reality, anyone who wants to use it) for up to three years at a time. The legislation, which seems to have broad council support, would effectively legalize what's already taking place: Stores like the Safeway at Othello and Rainier Ave. S. are turning their parking lots into private park-and-rides.

Although the legislation is ostensibly aimed at giving retailers an opportunity to make money during the economic downtown, it's written to allow parking-lot owners to get three-year permits through the end of 2012---meaning that a property owner could get a permit on the last day of 2012 that would extend all the way to 2016, presumably far after the economy has had a chance to rebound.

Originally, the city council opposed letting businesses turn their parking lots into private park-and-rides, citing city policy against building park-and-rides that encourage people to drive (instead of taking transit, walking, or biking) to light-rail stations.