SeaTac lawmakers approved March 11 the purchase a small parcel of land within the city's South 154th light-rail station area.

The city will buy an 870 square-foot, single-family house at South 152nd Street and Military Road South for $270,000. Assistant City Manager Tina Rogers said the final purchase cost would be $276,000.

She said long-term uses could include open space or park, parking or as a street right-of-way to South 152nd Street.

In the short-term, the city could rent out the home or demolish it, Rogers added.

The city has adopted design standards to encourage pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented development in the area.

The house at 3261 S. 152nd Street is near the light rail station at International Boulevard and South 154th Street. The station is scheduled to open in spring 2009.

Last month, lawmakers approved an agreement for a development with two towers of multi-family housing, retail stores and a drive-through Starbucks on the northwest intersection of South 154th Street and International Boulevard.

In other business, council members heard a report from Parametrix consultant Linda Logan on the city's draft of a stormwater management program.

With only Mayor Ralph Shape, councilmen Joe Brennan and Chris Wythe and Councilwoman Terry Anderson attending the meeting, the council had just enough for a quorum.

Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher, Councilman Tony Anderson, Councilwoman Mia Gregerson and City Manager Craig Ward were attending a National League of Cities convention in Washington D.C.