⚡ 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 APN 09221100050000 (Park Ridge, IL)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for a potential distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at 1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, in Cook County, Illinois. The analysis covers key evaluation criteria including site access, environmental constraints, grid infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and financial incentives.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Feasibility: The property benefits from excellent public road access. Renaissance Drive is a well-maintained commercial road within a suburban office park. The site is located less than a mile from Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway), providing a direct and efficient route for equipment delivery from major logistical hubs. This proximity to major transportation corridors is a significant advantage for minimizing transport costs and complexity.

Terrain & Equipment Access: Based on aerial imagery and the general geography of the Chicago metropolitan area, the site's topography is presumed to be flat and likely previously graded for commercial development. This is ideal for BESS construction, as it will minimize civil work and site preparation costs. The existing road network appears capable of supporting heavy loads, but we must verify local road weight limits and turning radii to ensure unimpeded access for heavy equipment such as mobile cranes, transformers, and prefabricated battery enclosures (e.g., Tesla Megapacks or similar).

Easement Concerns: As the parcel is part of an established office park, there is a high probability of existing utility easements (power, water, sewer, communications) crossing the property. A full ALTA survey and title report will be required to identify any such easements, which could significantly constrain the final buildable envelope for the BESS compound. Access easements benefiting adjacent properties must also be identified.

2. Environmental Constraints

Flood & Wetlands: The FEMA flood zone and wetlands status are currently listed as Unknown. This represents a critical and immediate data gap. A desktop screening using FEMA's Map Service Center and the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) must be performed immediately. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone AE), development costs would increase substantially due to the need to elevate all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, and permitting would become more complex. The presence of delineated wetlands would trigger state and federal setback requirements, reducing the buildable area and potentially rendering the site non-viable.

Habitat & Protected Species: The data indicates no critical habitats or protected areas on or immediately adjacent to the site, which is a positive finding consistent with a developed commercial location. This reduces the risk of lengthy and costly endangered species surveys or mitigation requirements from the US Fish and Wildlife Service or Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Contamination Risk: The presence of a Brownfield/Superfund site within two miles is a noteworthy risk. While not on the subject parcel, a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is strongly recommended to ensure no contaminant migration has occurred. It is crucial to note that proximity to a brownfield site does not qualify this project for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder; the project site itself must meet the federal definition of a brownfield. Therefore, this is purely a risk factor at this stage.

Other Considerations: The absence of pipelines within a three-mile radius is a significant safety and design advantage, eliminating concerns related to pipeline operator-mandated setbacks and explosion-proof design requirements.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Substation & Point of Interconnection (POI): The nearest substation is not identified in the provided data, a major project unknown. A desktop review indicates the probable target for interconnection is the Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) Park Ridge Substation, located approximately 1.2 miles east of the site. The voltage class is unknown but is likely to have both transmission and distribution assets. For a ≤5MW project, a distribution-level interconnection is the only economically