Oct. 20, 2021

Sioux Falls-based Van Buskirk Cos. is planning a new gated community along Lake Madison.

Called Zimmermann Landing, it will be a recreation-focused development designed for vacation-home living on lakeside and lake-view lots, the company said in a statement.

The plan is to include a professionally managed communal dock, walking paths throughout, paved roads, a frisbee golf course, playground, pickle ball court, private community beach area, a half-basketball court and ballfield.

“The landowners really wanted to offer something new and exciting to the area, and we’ve been able to work in several acres of the land that will be reserved as park area for Zimmermann Landing residents,” Steve Van Buskirk, land development president, said in the statement.

“The great thing is not only do the park areas offer value to the residents, but it will also purposefully add native grasses and plants to enhance clean-water efforts of the lake.”

Zimmermann Landing is directly north of The Lakes Golf Course and less than 2 miles from area dining, Van Buskirk said.

“You really couldn’t ask for a better location on the lake,” he said.

Lake-view lots will be elevated significantly higher than the lakeside lots, and protective covenants will keep lakeside rooflines low so that lake-view homes still include 4-mile views of the lake. These lots also will have a boat slip on the communal dock that will be maintained by the homeowners association.

“We’re excited to offer another option of lake living without the resident needing to worry about taking their dock in and out and maintaining the shoreline; that will all be handled for them. It truly is why we consider the lake-view option ideal for those who want all the recreation and views but with minimal maintenance on their part,” Van Buskirk said.

Zimmermann Landing dates back to pioneer days. Phillip Zimmermann was born in Germany in 1826 and immigrated to the U.S. at age 12. The family resided in Wisconsin, and he went to New York City in 1845 to study engineering. Six years later, at age 26, he became chief engineer of California, the first steamer to make the voyage around Cape Horn to the Pacific coast. He worked for 30 years for Pacific Mail Steamship Co., then for Allis Engine Works and lived in multiple states before settling along Lake Madison and developing a 1,600-acre estate. His daughters remained on the family farm and sold it to the Scully family in 1949.

A longtime silo on the farm is planned to be integrated into the new development.

Development plans have been approved by Lake County, and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks has granted a dock permit. Dirt is being graded for the first phase. The lots will be up for online auction Dec. 16 and buildable in the spring. Pricing and registration details will be released Nov. 9 at zimmermannlanding.com.