GARDEN GROVE fire truck (GGFD photo).

A new mixed-use project for the downtown area was approved by the Garden Grove Planning Commission on Thursday. The panel voted unanimously in favor of Far West Industries’ proposal to build a 16-unit building at 11222 Garden Grove Blvd., just east of Euclid Street.

The project is located on what years ago was the site of a Craig’s coffee shop, and is adjacent to the Lincoln Adult Education Center.

The building would have two commercial spaces facing Garden Grove Boulevard and 14 condominiums, all of it on a 25,000-square foot lot. The storefronts would have 18-foot ground floor spaces with large storefront windows.

The live-work concept is part of the city’s plan for the downtown area as a pedestrian-oriented district providing work, shopping and recreational activities nearby.

Planners also cleared the way for a new fire station to be built on West Street in West Haven Park, south of Chapman Avenue.

They unanimously approved replacement of a 1,000-square foot community building in the park with a new 2,000-foot structure. The new structure will be located on the same spot as the existing one, but the playground and playground equipment will be moved north.

That’s to accommodate an 8,300-square foot fire service facility toward the southern part of the park property. It will be a single-story, three-bay building with 21 parking spaces shared with the park. The new fire station would be replacing the existing 1,300-square foot station at Chapman Avenue and Debby Lane. Originally a single-family home, it’s considered obsolete for the city’s current needs.