Tesla received approval to open its first store in Western Massachusetts, on the same site as a service center that had already been approved for construction.

Accordingly Trade fair liveBoth the Springfield City Council and the East Springfield Neighborhood Council supported Tesla’s plan to build a 35,000-square-foot retail and service center on a site on Caldwell Drive that previously housed the American Career Institute.

The project, which includes a parking lot with capacity for about 360 vehicles, will meet several conditions set by the neighborhood council. Kathy BrownPresident of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, said the regulations serve to protect the quality of life of residents.

“We appreciate the attention to detail and the neighborhood council fully supports it,” Brown said.

The terms require Tesla to minimize light pollution in surrounding areas and limit the use of on-site charging stations to business and customer use. In addition, Tesla must maintain an existing fence and mature trees on the property.

Gray HannahDevelopment Officer for 6S Developmentsaid there will be some demo vehicles at the new site, but most of the cars can be pre-ordered through Tesla’s online system. He also noted that the project is expected to create about 30 jobs for Springfield residents.

The Caldwell Drive location has been vacant since the American Career Institute closed in 2013. The case is currently under investigation by the state Attorney General. The building has fallen into disrepair in the years since.

Until the Springfield location opens, Tesla customers in Western Massachusetts will need to visit the nearest centers in Boston, Latham (NY), Uncasville and Milford (CT) or Providence (RI).