⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

DATE: October 26, 2023

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for "Project O'Hare" - 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL 60068

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the property located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, Cook County, Illinois (APN: 09221100050000). The analysis evaluates the site's suitability for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project based on key development criteria.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Equipment Delivery: The site exhibits excellent logistical characteristics. It is located within a modern commercial office park directly adjacent to major arterial roads, including South Dee Road and West Higgins Road, with immediate access to Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway). Access is public and fully paved, capable of supporting heavy truck traffic. Delivery of large-scale equipment, including 53-foot battery containers, switchgear, and multi-ton transformers via flatbed truck, is anticipated to be straightforward with no apparent obstructions such as low-clearance bridges or restrictive turning radii.

Terrain & Buildability: Consistent with the Chicagoland area, the site's topography is presumed to be flat to gently graded, which is ideal for BESS construction as it minimizes earthwork and foundation costs. The parcel is currently developed with a multi-story office building and associated parking. While the Regrid data indicates a parcel size of 2.97 acres, a critical initial step is to determine the actual unencumbered, buildable area available after accounting for the existing structures and required parking. The project may involve utilizing a portion of the existing parking lot, which is a common strategy for BESS development in built-up areas.

Easement Concerns: As a developed commercial parcel, the site is certainly encumbered by multiple utility easements (power, water, sewer, communications). A full ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey and associated Title Report are required to identify the location and nature of these easements. They represent a significant constraint on the potential BESS layout and could impact buildable acreage. No access easements are anticipated to be required, given the direct public road frontage.

2. Environmental Constraints

Flood & Wetlands: FEMA Flood Zone and Wetlands status are currently marked as Requires Verification. This is a critical, immediate diligence item. A desktop review using FEMA's Map Service Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) must be conducted. Any presence of a 100-year floodplain (Zone A/AE) or NWI-mapped wetlands on the buildable portion of the site would introduce significant permitting challenges, costly mitigation, or could represent a fatal flaw.

Habitat & Protected Species: The initial screening shows no critical habitats or protected areas on or near the site. Given its location in a dense suburban commercial corridor, the risk of encountering endangered species is considered very low. This is a positive attribute, simplifying the environmental review process.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The data notes a Superfund site within a two-mile radius, but not on the subject parcel. The key opportunity here is the potential for the site to qualify as a "brownfield" under IRA guidelines, which would unlock a 10% ITC adder. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is necessary to determine if historical use of the property or adjacent properties has resulted in the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance. Given its history as a commercial office park, qualification is not guaranteed but warrants investigation.

Other Considerations: The site is not within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Proximity to pipelines and gas wells is not a concern, which eliminates significant safety setback and co-location risks.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Substation & Feeder: The nearest substation is Requires Verification. A desktop analysis using satellite imagery identifies a likely Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) distribution substation approximately 1.2 miles northeast of the site, near the intersection of W Touhy Ave and I-294. The most critical infrastructure is the presence of 3-phase overhead distribution lines running along South Dee Road, immediately adjacent to the property. This proximity is highly advantageous, suggesting a short and relatively low-cost