⚡ 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)

RECOMMENDATION: MAYBE

This report provides a comprehensive diligence analysis for the potential acquisition and development of a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the subject property. The site benefits from a key federal incentive and strong physical characteristics. However, it faces significant and potentially fatal flaws related to grid interconnection availability and local zoning entitlement. The current recommendation is MAYBE, pending the immediate investigation of the critical risks outlined below.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The property has excellent access. It is located in a modern commercial office park directly off Renaissance Drive, a paved public road. Its proximity to major thoroughfares like I-294 suggests that the local road network is well-maintained and built to a high standard, capable of handling heavy vehicle traffic.

Terrain & Equipment Feasibility: As is typical for the Chicago metropolitan area, the site's topography is expected to be flat. The existing development as an office building confirms the site is already graded, which will significantly reduce civil construction costs. Access for heavy equipment, including cranes for setting transformers and switchgear, and flatbed trucks for delivering BESS containers, appears feasible. A detailed swept-path analysis is recommended to confirm turning radii within the office park's internal roads to the specific project footprint.

Easement Concerns: As part of a larger commercial development, the parcel is almost certainly encumbered by existing access, utility, and drainage easements. A full title report and ALTA survey are required to identify these easements and ensure they do not conflict with the proposed BESS equipment layout. New easements for interconnection and access will also need to be secured.

2. Environmental Constraints

Flood & Wetlands: The FEMA flood zone and wetlands status are currently Unknown. This represents a critical data gap. Any designation within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone AE) would require elevating all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, adding significant cost and complexity. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger setback requirements (typically 50-10