Plans for a new Giant food store continue to advance in Ephrata Township, though developers are still working with local officials to hammer out some details.

At a meeting of the township's planning commission Tuesday, representatives for Ephrata G.F. presented updated plans for the proposed 66,000-square-foot grocery store and related gas station. Plans for three retail parcels on 3.8 acres adjoining the food store will be presented separately.

The developer is seeking three new waivers, but the commission acted on just one last night. The approved waiver would allow Ephrata G.F. to reconstruct Route 322, which fronts the development, using state rather than township guidelines for widening, turn lanes, curbing and sidewalks.

Giant engineer John Murphy asked that the planning commission members table two other waivers concerning a private street on the property and water-quality improvements. The plan is expected to be back before the commission next month.

Members said they would also support Giant's request to change the township's zoning ordinance to allow larger retail signs in the mixed-use district. An attorney for Giant called the township's current 20-square-foot limit for freestanding signs "unusually restrictive" and previously asked the board of supervisors to consider amending the ordinance to allow signs up to 80 square feet.

Several commission members said they would be in favor of reviewing the ordinance, with chairman Louis Hurst suggesting a sliding scale that would increase the permitted sign size based on lot or building size.

Commission members also agreed to further consider rules for electronic signs with variable messages, which are currently prohibited in Ephrata Township. Draft regulations would not allow signs within 500 feet of a traffic signal, limit brightness to 5,000 nits during daylight hours, and allow messages to change just once an hour.

The commission did not act on a parking lot land development for 446 N. Reading Road. The board said it needed a finalized sketch before deciding whether to grant developer Scott Cover waivers concerning parking dimensions and property-line setbacks.