⚡ 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 "Project Renaissance"

PROPERTY: 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, Cook County, IL (APN: 09221100050000)

FINAL RECOMMENDATION: MAYBE

This report provides a comprehensive initial diligence analysis for the subject property as a potential site for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). While the site benefits from a valuable 10% ITC adder and excellent location, critical data gaps regarding grid interconnection and environmental constraints present substantial go/no-go risks. The project is not viable without immediate investigation into these key unknowns.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The property has excellent access. It is located in a well-developed commercial office park with direct frontage on Renaissance Drive, a paved, public road. The site is situated less than a mile from Interstate 294, providing a direct and efficient route for equipment delivery from major transportation corridors.

Terrain & Equipment Feasibility: Based on aerial imagery and the general geography of the Chicago metropolitan area, the site's topography is presumed to be flat. This is highly advantageous, as it will minimize civil engineering and grading costs, which can be substantial on sloped sites. The existing commercial-grade road infrastructure appears fully capable of supporting heavy equipment delivery, including semi-trucks carrying battery containers, pad-mount transformers, and construction cranes. No immediate obstacles like low-clearance bridges or restrictive turning radii are apparent on the primary access routes.

Easement Concerns: As a developed commercial parcel, the site is almost certain to be encumbered by existing utility easements (e.g., power, water, sewer, telecommunications). A full ALTA survey and title report are required to identify the location and restrictions of these easements, as they will directly impact the usable area for BESS equipment placement. Access easements are not anticipated to be a concern due to the direct public road frontage. A significant discrepancy exists between the listed "Total Acres" (35.02) and "Parcel Acres" from Regrid (2.97). We are proceeding under the assumption the 2.97-acre parcel is the target; this must be confirmed immediately via a title search, as it fundamentally impacts project scale and viability.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone & Wetlands: The status for both flood zone and wetlands is currently Unknown. These represent critical, potentially fatal flaws. An immediate review of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is required. If the site is located within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone A or AE), development costs will increase significantly due to the need for elevated foundations, and permitting may be impossible. Similarly, a desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a mandatory first step. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger significant setbacks and require a formal wetland delineation, potentially rendering the buildable area too small for the project.

Habitat & Protected Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on or near the site, which is a positive finding consistent with a developed suburban location. This significantly lowers the risk of project delays or mitigation requirements from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A formal desktop review using the USFWS IPaC tool is still recommended as a standard diligence step.

Contamination Risk: The property is not listed as a brownfield, but one Superfund site is noted within a two-mile radius. This proximity necessitates a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to ensure no soil or groundwater contamination has migrated to