Upper Township to introduce ordinance to rename 'No Name Road' after property owners propose 'Empress Court'

Upper Township Committee voted on Aug. 22 to introduce an ordinance to rename the locally known "No Name Road," following resident requests to correct addressing for emergency-response purposes.

"On the tax map it says unnamed road," the solicitor told the committee while outlining the naming process. Property owners who front the road were consulted and one owner, Lindsay Andre, proposed the name "Empress Court" because of three empress trees lining the property. The committee moved to introduce the renaming as an ordinance; it will undergo a statutory advertisement period and a public hearing before any adoption.

Why it matters: residents said the current addressing creates difficulties for mail carriers and emergency responders. Robert Grimley, who said his property is recorded as 705 Route 50 though his dwelling is not on Route 50, told the committee the incorrect address poses a public-safety and liability concern.

Some residents opposed losing the local name. Lou Barbo said he enjoys "No Name Road" as a unique local feature and urged the committee to consider preserving the name. The solicitor and staff said the naming process will include public hearings and a 30-day comment period so residents may submit objections or alternative proposals.

Procedure and next steps: the ordinance will be introduced at the committee's next meeting; following the 30-day notice and a public hearing, a second reading and adoption vote would be scheduled. The committee emphasized it will provide opportunities for residents to speak again during the public-hearing phase.

No final renaming vote was taken on Aug. 22; the action on Aug. 22 was introduction for first reading and to initiate the statutory public-notice process.