⚡ 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 – Project "Renaissance" (1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, IL)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for a potential distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, Cook County, Illinois. The analysis covers key development pillars including site characteristics, environmental constraints, grid infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and financial incentives.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Feasibility: The site has direct access from Renaissance Drive, a public, paved road within a well-maintained commercial office park. This road connects to major thoroughfares like West Higgins Road and is in close proximity to Interstate 294, providing excellent logistical access for construction and delivery. The quality of the existing road network appears suitable for heavy haul trucks required for delivering BESS containers, transformers, and switchgear.

Terrain & Equipment Access: Based on satellite imagery and the general geography of Cook County, the terrain is presumed to be exceptionally flat with minimal grade. This is highly advantageous, as it will significantly reduce civil engineering and site preparation costs. The primary challenge will be navigating equipment within the confines of an existing, developed office park. Maneuvering large cranes and trucks around the existing multi-story office building, parking lots, and landscaping will require a detailed logistics plan. The 2.97-acre parcel size, if accurate, provides adequate space, but the layout will be constrained by the existing infrastructure.

Easement Concerns: Requires Verification. While the property fronts a public road, an access easement may be required from the property owner (IMPERIAL REALTY CO) to cross existing parking lots or driveways to reach the optimal BESS pad location. The exact location of any existing utility easements (power, water, sewer) must also be determined via a title search and survey, as they could constrain the buildable area.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: Requires Verification. The FEMA flood zone designation is currently unknown and represents a critical data gap. A desktop review using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center is an immediate next step. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A, AE), development costs would increase substantially due to the need to elevate all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, and permitting could become prohibitive. A designation of Zone X (minimal flood risk) is strongly preferred.

Wetlands: Requires Verification. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is unknown. A preliminary screen using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. Any indication of wetlands on or near the parcel would trigger the need for a formal wetland delineation. The presence of wetlands would introduce significant setbacks (typically 50-100 feet) and complex permitting through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, potentially rendering the site undevelopable.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The site is not within any designated critical habitat or protected areas, which is a significant positive. This greatly reduces the risk of encountering project-delaying issues related to the Endangered Species Act. A standard desktop review using the USFWS IPaC tool is still recommended as a final check.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The data indicates a Superfund site is located within two miles, but not on the subject parcel. This proximity does not automatically qualify the site for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder. To qualify, this specific parcel must be certified as a "brownfield site" as defined by CERCLA, which typically requires a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to identify recognized environmental conditions. This should be viewed as a potential opportunity requiring significant investigation, not a guaranteed benefit.

Pipeline Proximity: The absence of major gas transmission pipelines within a three-mile radius is a key safety and design advantage, eliminating risks associated with blast zones and pipeline-related setbacks.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Substation & Feeder: Requires Verification. This is the most critical unknown for the project. The nearest distribution substation, its capacity, and the routing of its feeders are not identified. Without a viable Point of Interconnection (POI), the project is not feasible. The top priority is to identify the local Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) substation and the 3-phase distribution feeder circuit serving the office park. The feeder is likely 12.47kV or