A worldwide retail giant has taken its first formal steps toward opening a Moon Township storefront.

Wal-Mart representatives gained approval for their preliminary land development plan from township planning commission on Tuesday.

Township supervisors will now take that recommendation under advisement when they render a decision on the same preliminary plan on Wednesday.

A final decision will come later, after additional refinements to the plan, said Richard Celender of Pittsburgh-based Civil and Environmental Consultants, Wal-Mart's project manager.

"We have generated what we think is a pretty good amenity for the township in this area," Celender said.

The decision to approve plans for the 148,561-square foot retail and grocery store, to be constructed on a 22-acre plot along University Boulevard and Brodhead Road, did not come easily to the four planning commission members.

Allan Bross raised traffic concerns from previous designs. To alleviate those issues, Wal-Mart representatives incorporated a roundabout off what could become a new township road where West Hills Drive now exists.

Coordinated traffic lights at four University Boulevard and three Brodhead Road intersections would help ease traffic congestion.

A center turning lane will be constructed on a widened Brodhead Road, as well as a left-hand turning lane leading into the University Boulevard entrance.

Beyond traffic issues, planning commission member Lynn DeLorenzo discussed building materials and landscaping problems. Wal-Mart representatives produced concrete samples and discussed their design decisions surrounding the red and tan-hued store.

Despite some reservations, DeLorenzo, Bross, Mark Berton and Scott Melton gave initial approval. Joe D'Andrea voted against the plan and Mario Panucci abstained, citing a conflict of interest.

With commissioners' approval construction dates and a possible opening could become clearer in the future, but no dates could be nailed down, said Celender.

As with the original August plan and its October update, Wal-Mart still intends to demolish West Hills Shopping Center, two office buildings and Valvoline Express Care. Representatives say the store will be situated 50 feet down from University Boulevard in line with The Meadows with a 622 space parking lot spreading toward Brodhead Road.