The Montgonion tackles Southlawn Lane blight
The Montgonion is tackling another neglected Montgomery County area, calling on a team of local departments and officials to help clean up an environmentally sensitive spot in Rockville.
Just down the street from the Rockville Sportsplex, the 15100 block of Southlawn Lane is a unique transition point in Montgomery County. One side is an industrial zone dominated by heavy construction companies, and on the other is parkland connected to Lake Frank and Lake Needwood. A Rock Creek tributary meanders a few yards from the west bound lane; across the street is a concrete batching plant.
When The Montgonion surveyed the site in February it was a mess. Dozens of cars were parked in posted no parking zones, many sinking into the muddy, soft shoulder. A line of 10 dump trucks and cement mixers blocked through traffic in the east bound lane, queued up to enter a concrete company lot where a thick cloud of dust perpetually lingered around the entrance. Loose trash, sheets of plastic and rubbish bags littered the block and continued into the park all the way to Avery Road.
The situation required a multi-departmental response and The Montgonion staff went first to County Councilmember Sidney Katz, whose district includes the area. His Deputy Chief of Staff, Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Esq. engaged the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Department of Permitting Services (DPS).
Illegally parked vehicles and trucks queued at industrial sites turned soft shoulders muddy and rutted.
MCDOT requested the concrete batching plant ensure that all trucks wait or queue on the company’s property and not block the roadway, and that personnel direct traffic when necessary. The company quickly complied.
The Montgonion staff contacted Montgomery County Police Department First District Commander Jordan Satinsky about the illegally parked vehicles. Parking enforcement officers spoke to businesses with vehicles parked on the lane, and businesses moved them to their property. Vehicles without tags or registration were towed. Now there is only one vehicle remaining, a disabled truck that is expected to go soon.
The last illegally parked vehicle should be removed soon. Hopefully the couch and plywood sheets too.
DPS engaged the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and MCDOT maintenance for matters in their domain. DEP is addressing the issue of debris and concrete spilling onto the road. We asked them to assess whether there are any associated concerns with the parkland or stream too. MCDOT maintenance is sending a crew to Southlawn Lane this month to pick up the trash.
Litter like this lines Southlawn Lane from the 15100 block through the park to Avery Road.
MCPD told The Montgonion they will follow up to make sure all the vehicles are moved and will patrol the area for ongoing compliance.
The restoration of the 15100 block of Southlawn Lane is well on its way thanks to a slew of county officials, civil servants and departments. The Montgonion will call them out for appreciation when Southlawn Lane is whole again. Meantime, we'll stay on top of it all and let you know how it's going.
Editor’s note: this article is NOT satire or fake news. It's all true, a little project we've been working on for the good and welfare of our Montgomery County neighbors. Need help with a problem spot in MoCo? Hit us up at montgonion@gmail.com.
