CLAREMONT — The Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved a special exception for a proposed Abenaki cultural and educational center on Elm Street.

The Ko’asek of Turtle Island, based in Alstead, N.H., now must obtain site plan approval from the Planning Board to construct a 2,400-square-foot building for a museum, library, archives and exhibits. Additionally the 11-acre property that is on the west side of Elm Street, slightly north of Valley Regional Hospital, will have interpretive trails.

Chief Paul Bunnell, of Ko’asek Turtle Island, said before the tribe submits a site plan, it will need to secure grants to pay for the design and construction costs, which he said he expects to exceed $100,000.

“We will go before the Planning Board based on when we can get grant money,” Bunnell said Wednesday.

There are no federally or state recognized tribes in New Hampshire, although the Ko’asek Turtle Island appears on a list maintained by the state’s Division of Historical Resources of Native American organizations with geographical/cultural interests in the state.

This fall, Bunnell said he plans to work with Sullivan County Natural Resource Director Lionel Chute to map out trails with construction likely in the spring. The trails will be open to the public and will include labels for indigenous and edible plants.

City Planner deForest Bearse did not say specifically that the city would require site plan approval for trail work, but added it is best to obtain that approval “before going too far with the property.”