The city planning commission today cleared the way for construction of a Target store to anchor the East Liberty commercial corridor.

Commission members voted unanimously to approve a final land development plan for the 156,000-square-foot store, one of the few in the country that will be two stories in height.

Target hopes to open the store, to be located at Penn Avenue, Penn Circle South and Broad Street, by the fall of 2010. It is expected to employ 150 to 200 employees.

In addition to being one of the few to be two stories, the store will be unique in one respect -- it will be the only one in the country to have windows in sections of the sales floor, a design feature Target added to accommodate city planning officials.

The first level of the store will feature parking for roughly 470 vehicles as well as a huge glass-enclosed lobby that will include escalators and elevators to the second-level retail area.

"I think this is a great project," planning commission member Todd Reidbord said. "This is really going to be a continued catalyst for the neighborhood."

But one nearby businessman wasn't so thrilled about the development. Robert Tortorete, owner of the Station Street Hot Dog and Sandwich Shop on Broad Street, feared the massive store could block the view of his establishment and hinder business. He was skeptical about claims from some commission members that Target would increase traffic and help his shop.

""I have my life invested there" he said. "I can't afford to have any potential problems."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.