The Farm In Poway Incorporates The Best Of The Community

This Patch article is sponsored by The Farm in Poway LLC.

The Farm in Poway LLC is a proposed new neighborhood that incorporates the best of the community: high-quality homes, abundant open space and a rural appeal. The plan to redevelop the abandoned Stoneridge Country Club and transform it into a vibrant family neighborhood was approved by a unanimous vote of the City Council on June 16, 2020, and now moves forward to a public vote on Nov. 3, 2020.

Patch caught up with Kevin McNamara, managing partner of The Farm in Poway LLC, to learn more about what the community has to offer.

Patch: How long have you been doing business in town?

McNamara: My wife, Debi, and I moved to Poway in 1997. We moved our real estate investment and management company into Old Poway Village in 1998. I’ve been active in community affairs for many years. I chaired the budget committee for the city, am a member of Kiwanis, and serve on the advisory board for Villa de Vida. I’m a strong believer in giving back to and participating in the community you live in. Debi and our daughter Liz own the Poway Countryside Barn.

We introduced the plans for The Farm in Poway to the community in 2018, and we’ve been working since then to gain approval for the plan. We received a unanimous approval of the project from the Poway City Council, and we are now on our final step of winning over the voters to agree that this plan is the right plan for Poway.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

McNamara: After graduate school, I got a job with a development company in Santa Cruz, California, in 1974. I’ve been in the real estate business ever since.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger, what would you say?

McNamara: Solution-oriented in a fair, thoughtful way.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?

McNamara: The biggest challenge is happening right now: pursuing approval of a ballot initiative to create a new type of community that will benefit all of Poway. The Farm in Poway will revitalize a neglected eyesore in our community — the abandoned Stoneridge Country Club — and replace it with a beautiful neighborhood that is based on conservation, recreation and agriculture. This hasn’t been easy — it is a long, arduous process subject to a lot of scrutiny, as it should be. We are working hard to get facts and information out to voters and make ourselves accessible for any questions so that voters know they have transparency in this process.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

McNamara: I like to see the community flourish. With real estate development, you also get to see a physical product that is a reminder of all your hard work. If we are successful in getting our project approved, I think The Farm in Poway will be my most satisfying project. I believe that it will be a beautiful asset for Poway that balances conservation, amenities and homes, and reflects what we all love about Poway.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from others?

McNamara: We are not a large development organization with many layers of staff. The three partners are in direct contact with our consultants and with the community as we have moved this project forward. People are dealing directly with the partners in The Farm in Poway.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

McNamara: The truth always works. The truth matters.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

McNamara: I’m very proud of our planning efforts on The Farm. The political campaign is a new challenge and very interesting. If we get approved by the voters, we will be very proud of the final result when we get it built. This will be a great place to live and will offer some great amenities for Poway.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?

McNamara: Due to the COVID-19 virus, we are limited on events and gatherings, but we have a hard-working crew walking the Poway neighborhoods, dropping brochures at people’s doors to share information about the farm. And we are always happy to meet virtually with anyone or any organization that would like to learn more about our project.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

McNamara: We have a project website that provides a lot of information at www.TheFarminPoway.com. On the website, you can sign up to receive project updates via email. We’re also on Facebook (The Farm in Poway) and Instagram (@TheFarmInPoway).