When Bill and Sandra Kenney first bought Monarch View Farm in southwest Lee’s Summit in 1987, they realized they found something special in that area of town. Over time they gradually began buying more farmland in the area. Seeing that the land was well-positioned for development, they are now working to complete their third subdivision, Summit View Farms.
“It’s the area we fell in love with when we bought our first farm,” Bill says.
After his careers in the NFL and Missouri politics, Bill and his wife previously completed the Monarch View and Meadows of Summit Ridge subdivisions. Summit View Farms is located near the other subdivisions off Hook Road just west of Pryor.
With the first two phases of Summit View Farms open, the 190-acre neighborhood is currently taking shape. It has the potential of about 426 lots including 52 maintenance-free villas. Of that, 47 acres or about 120 lots will have Lee’s Summit addresses, and 143 acres and the remaining lots will have Kansas City addresses. Lots have sold quickly, and plans are moving forward for future phases despite the pandemic.
The boundary arrangements make for a unique set-up. Despite parts of the subdivision having different addresses, the entire development is within the Lee’s Summit school district going to Summit Pointe Elementary, Summit Lakes Middle School and Lee’s Summit West High School.
Amenities will include a community pool, a pocket park, playground, two covered barbecue areas, two pergolas and pet park. For child safety reasons, the pool will be central in the neighborhood and not visible from streets outside the development. Additionally, there will be 20 acres of greenspace including a creek bed, trees and shrubbery.
The Kenneys have approved builders and several model homes types, but with room for flexibility. They have some farmhouse-style homes, some more modern styles and are flexible with outside colors.
“Our subdivisions allow for customer and designer flair,” Sandra says. “Our builders are flexible. We are honest with our prices, and we have builders we have chosen who are honest with their prices.”
Bill says he works to build personal relationships with both the builders and homeowners and gets to know the homeowners personally. He ensures there are no surprises in the contracts for either the buyer or the builder and seeks to be involved in the process. He says there are many instances when the developer is not involved in the building process, and that can lead to problems.
“I want my homeowners happy,” Bill says.
The Kenneys also say they are proud of their builders and describe them as their champions.
Jill and John Galate have lived in the neighborhood for a year and a half and enjoy the location, style of homes and the convenient access to other parts of town given the proximity to 150 Highway. The neighborhood literally consists of family for the Galates as their kids and grandchildren live there as well.
“It’s what I call an old-fashioned neighborhood,” Jill says. “Neighbors get to know each other out here.”
Frank Davis and his wife have lived in the neighborhood since the end of January, and Frank says the community is just the right size as it is not too large or too small. Both Davis and the Galates say they enjoy the mixture of ages in the community.
“Buyers like the feel of the neighborhood,” Sandra says. “They love their house. We have quality builders with great prices.”
