⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Feasibility: The subject property is located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in a developed commercial office park in Park Ridge, IL. Access is via public, paved roads which appear to be in good condition and suitable for standard construction traffic. The proximity to major thoroughfares like I-294 is advantageous for logistics.

Terrain & Equipment Access: The topography in this region of Cook County is generally flat. As the site is already developed with a multi-story office building, it is presumed to be graded and level. The existing parking lot could provide an ideal, pre-compacted surface for staging and construction, potentially reducing civil work costs. However, a detailed assessment is required to evaluate the turning radii of access roads and potential overhead obstructions (e.g., power lines, tree canopies) for the delivery of oversized equipment, such as multi-ton transformers and containerized battery enclosures.

Easement Concerns: A significant unknown is the presence of existing easements. Given the developed nature of the site, it is highly likely that utility easements (power, water, sewer, communications) and potentially access or parking easements are present. A full title report and ALTA survey are required to identify any encumbrances that could restrict the placement of the BESS facility or its interconnection route. The parcel size discrepancy between the 35.02 acres listed and the 2.97 acres from Regrid data for the specific APN is a major concern that must be clarified immediately, as it drastically impacts the available area.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This represents a critical data gap and a potential fatal flaw. Action Item: An immediate review of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is required. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A, AE), development will be subject to significant constraints, potentially requiring elevation of all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), which would dramatically increase project costs and may render it unviable.

Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is also Unknown. A desktop screening using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a necessary first step. If potential wetlands are indicated on or near the property, a formal wetland delineation would be required. Any identified wetlands would trigger setback requirements from the Army Corps of Engineers and/or Illinois EPA, constraining the buildable area.

Habitat & Species: The data indicates no critical habitats or protected areas on site, which is expected for a developed commercial parcel in a suburban environment. This is considered a low-risk factor, though a formal check of the USFWS IPaC database is recommended as part of standard due diligence.

Contamination Risk: The property is not listed as a brownfield, but there is one superfund/brownfield site within a two-mile radius. This constitutes a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC). A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is mandatory to assess the historical use of the property and surrounding area for potential contamination. While the property itself is unlikely to qualify for the 10% IRA brownfield ITC adder without evidence of contamination, the Phase I ESA is crucial for mitigating liability and ensuring a clean site.

Other Constraints: No pipelines or gas wells are noted