The Greeneville Historic Zoning Commission on Tuesday approved plans to place a reconstructed 18th century log cabin on the grounds of the Nathanael Greene Museum.

The "Babb Family Log House" was built around 1787 in what is now known as the Babbs Mill area of northeastern Greene County, off the Kingsport Highway, according to Carla Bewley, a member of the museum's board of directors.

Placement of the reconstructed cabin was approved on April 15 by the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen and also requires approval by the Greeneville Regional Planning Commission.

The 22-ft. by 24-ft. structure will be put in front of the former Andrew Johnson School, near the corner of South Main and McKee streets, according to plans presented by Bewley.

Bewley said the Babb family has dismantled the cabin and wants it to be preserved for viewing by the public.

She said the project to relocate the cabin will involve very little excavation, and the existing trees at the site will not be removed.

Bewley said she had searched throughout the city for other sites to place the cabin, and she feels that placing it at the museum will be a "very positive addition" to what has become a "museum corner."

Chairman Sarah Webster asked if the museum plans to keep the cabin open for tourists to enter.

Bewley said the cabin will be closed at first, and the interior will be restored as funds are available.

David Howard, president of Historic Lumber Inc., said a limestone chimney is being sought for the project.

Commissioner Ben Brooks recused himself from the vote, noting that he is a member of the museum's board of directors.

In other business, the commission approved exterior alterations, new construction and demolition to the Robert Lively residence at 443 W. Main St.

The project includes removing the back porch, structural work to the existing house, landscaping, and adding an enclosed porch, a new kitchen, a new small activity room and a garage with a staircase, according to contractor Marshall Ricker.

Ricker showed the commission photos and floor plans of the project.

The commission voted to allow the removal of the existing shutters.

The commission also approved the moving of a privacy fence and a construction of a paved driveway at the corner of West Main Street and Nanci Lane.

The driveway will be about 20 feet long and curved, according to property-owner Tina Lucas. Lucas said she needs to move the fence to allow for parking.