⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

DATE: October 26, 2023

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL (APN: 09221100050000)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the subject property for its potential as a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The analysis identifies significant potential rewards, primarily through IRA incentives, but these are counterbalanced by substantial risks and data gaps related to grid interconnection and local permitting.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The site benefits from "Public" road access via Renaissance Drive. Located within a developed commercial office park in suburban Chicago, the property is expected to have high-quality, paved road access suitable for standard construction vehicles. Proximity to major transportation corridors like I-294 is a logistical advantage.

Equipment Delivery: While basic access is excellent, the feasibility for oversized and overweight loads requires verification. Delivery of heavy equipment, such as a 100-ton GSU transformer and 50-ton battery containers, necessitates a formal route survey. Key diligence items include verifying road weight limits, bridge ratings, and turning radii from the highway to the site entrance. The existing office park infrastructure may not have been designed for such loads.

Topography: The property is in Cook County, Illinois, an area characterized by flat terrain. As a parcel within an existing office park, it is presumed to be graded and relatively level, minimizing the need for extensive earthwork and reducing civil engineering costs. This is a significant advantage for buildability.

Easement Concerns: A significant data discrepancy exists regarding parcel size (35.02 acres vs. 2.97 acres). Assuming the smaller, more likely 2.97 acres, the site is compact. A full ALTA survey and title search are required to identify any existing utility, access, or drainage easements that could further encumber the buildable area and constrain the BESS layout.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone status is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. A review of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is an immediate next step. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone AE), development costs will increase substantially due to the need to elevate all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, and a location within a floodway could be a fatal flaw.

Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is Unknown. A desktop review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. If potential wetlands are indicated, a formal wetland delineation would be necessary. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger significant setbacks and