MONTVALE, N.J.—Two Republican incumbents, Council President Theresa Cudequest and Councilman Douglas Arendacs, are running unopposed for two Borough Council seats in the Nov. 3 election, as Montvale faces a consequential decision over affordable housing and the possible development of a large artificial intelligence data center.
In response to questions from Pascack Press, Cudequest said she opposes a hypothetical large AI data center here because of potential demands on local resources, including electricity and water. She identified responsible development and community safety as her priorities for another term.
Arendacs did not respond to several attempts by Pascack Press to obtain his positions, including written requests outlining the questions he was invited to address.
Both candidates were asked whether Montvale’s Fourth Round Affordable Housing Plan should allow a data center as an alternative to a conventional residential development that includes affordable housing.
“One of the properties under consideration (KPMG) already contains a data center, which many residents may not realize,” Cudequest said. “While property owners should be allowed to develop their land within existing regulations, I would oppose a large AI (artificial intelligence) data center due to its impact on local resources, including energy and water usage.”
The question concerns approximately 34 acres of the former KPMG office campus on Chestnut Ridge Road, where the borough and Fair Share Housing Center disagree over how the property should figure into Montvale’s affordable housing obligations.
The dispute is scheduled for a hearing in Superior Court in Hackensack on Nov. 18.
One option under consideration would permit a data center alongside 50 affordable housing units. Another would provide for 250 residential units, including 50 affordable units.
Borough officials have said the property is already zoned for data center use but have distinguished conventional data centers from large facilities designed for AI computing, which can place greater demands on electricity and cooling systems.
A concept discussed for the site included a 322,822-square-foot AI data center, although officials have emphasized that no formal application has been submitted to the Planning Board.
Residents and environmental advocates have raised concerns at council meetings about electricity and water consumption, noise, and emissions from backup diesel generators.
The KPMG campus has historically included data processing facilities associated with the company’s technology operations. That existing use, however, does not establish that a substantially larger AI facility would have comparable environmental or infrastructure impacts.
Cudequest also expressed concern about the scale of residential development that could result from the state’s affordable housing requirements.
“I also do not support overdevelopment to satisfy the state’s affordable housing mandate,” she said. “Our focus should be on meeting the required number of affordable units, not approving large developments with a disproportionate number of market-rate homes.”
She said, “I would rather see affordable housing paired with community benefits such as recreational facilities or a community center, while ensuring growth does not overwhelm our schools, public safety departments, infrastructure, and utilities.”
Development, public safety
Cudequest identified two principal priorities for another term: responsible development and community safety. On development, she said she would work to meet affordable housing requirements without unnecessary overdevelopment, preserve Montvale’s character and quality of life, and ensure that future growth is sustainable and benefits residents.
On public safety, she emphasized continued support for police, fire and emergency services, planning for growth without compromising public safety, and maintaining infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
Cudequest served on the Borough Council from 2010 through 2015. She returned in December 2021, when she was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Rose Curry, who resigned for personal reasons.
She has served continuously since that appointment and was selected as council president in January 2026.
A resident for 38 years, Cudequest is married and has four adult children. She volunteered with the Tri-Boro Ambulance Corps for 21 years and works as a registered nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Pascack Press also invited both candidates to identify their principal campaign issues and planned actions for another term and to provide campaign materials or links to campaign websites and social media accounts.
Cudequest supplied her positions. Arendacs did not respond by press time.
The two Republicans face no Democratic or independent challengers on the Nov. 3 ballot.