Three developers present competing plans for Bison Preserve site; one estimates $28.9M investment

Three developers presented competing concepts for the Bison Preserve planned unit development during the New Buffalo Area Schools Board meeting on Nov. 24, 2025.

Zack Zalar of The Habitat Company said his firm could build in phases and that engineering studies would determine how to grade the site to "make the most developable land," and that financing and a development agreement would address project completion timelines. Zalar described the proposal as accommodating up to "75 units per building in a couple phases," and said the company would be transparent about overall costs.

Brian Papke of Leeward Ventures offered a different plan that would include 48 apartments arranged as four 12‑unit walkups, 17 "in‑town townhomes" with rear‑loaded garages, 32 front‑loaded townhomes and 12 trade lots for owner‑built projects toward the rear of the property. Papke said the "anticipated total project investment would be $28.9 million" and projected preliminary deliveries for townhomes in May 2027 and for apartments in August 2027.

Dan Buckenmeyer of the Southwest Michigan Community Land Trust proposed a nonprofit community land trust model in which the trust retains ownership of the land and homebuyers sign an "89‑year land lease." Buckenmeyer said the CLT model "ensures the home will remain affordable for the next buyer" by limiting resale equity through a fixed schedule while still allowing homeowners to build some equity. He emphasized that CLT homes are not available as second homes or for short‑term rental: "no opportunities for people to buy second homes here, no opportunities to rent them out – you have to live in the home."

Board members did not take a vote on a preferred developer at the meeting. The presentations were part of the Bison Preserve Committee process and will inform subsequent discussions and any formal proposals returned to the board for review and potential action.