By Angela T. Koenig
Enquirer contributor

WESTWOOD - Plans to relocate and expand the Glenway Avenue Kroger store in Westwood will go before neighborhood and city officials this week.

The plan calls for a new 76,640-square-foot grocery store, a fuel center, and approximately 30,000 square feet of outbuildings to be built near the existing Kroger store in the Western Hills Plaza.

The proposed 12.5-acre site is the 6100 block of Glenway Avenue. The site includes the Western Village shopping plaza.

The site's zoning requires a review by the Westwood Civic Association, which will make a recommendation to city zoning officials.

"We haven't formally taken a position yet, other than to ask for more information,'' said association President Mike Brestel . "Personally though, I'm concerned about Kroger pulling out of the plaza and leaving another huge vacant building like the one in College Hill."

A Kroger representative is expected to attend the association's next Steering Committee meeting, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Westwood United Methodist Church, 3460 Epworth Ave.

According to Zoning Supervisor Reginold Lyons, the decision of whether to approve the plan rests with William Langevin, the director of building and inspections.

Langevin said his review will take place shortly before this week's zoning hearing, which is 9:30 a.m. Thursday at City Hall, 801 Plum St., committee Room B.

Lyons said abutting property owners have been notified and none have filed letters of opposition. Some tenants in Western Village, however, said they have little or no information and fear having to relocate.

"I didn't know anything about it,'' said John Vasiliou who has owned and operated J & J's Restaurant in Western Village since 1974.

Kroger's real estate department declined to comment.