⚡ 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 "Project O'Hare" - 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL 60068

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the property located at 1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, IL (APN: 09221100050000). The analysis evaluates the site's suitability for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project based on key technical, environmental, regulatory, and financial criteria.

1. Site Access & Topography

• Road Access & Feasibility: The site has direct frontage on Renaissance Drive, a public, paved road within a well-maintained commercial office park. Visual analysis confirms the road is wide enough to accommodate standard truck traffic. Access to major transportation corridors is excellent, with immediate proximity to Interstate 294 and Interstate 90. This ensures a clear and direct route for delivery of all major equipment from regional ports or manufacturing facilities.
• Terrain Characteristics: As is typical for the Chicagoland area, the site appears to be exceptionally flat with minimal grade change. This is ideal for BESS development, as it will significantly reduce civil engineering and site preparation costs. No major earthwork is anticipated, which simplifies construction and shortens timelines.
• Heavy Equipment Access: The existing road network is designed for commercial traffic, including delivery trucks. A lowboy trailer carrying a 40-foot battery container or a large step-up transformer should be able to navigate the access roads and turn into the site. However, a detailed swept path analysis is recommended once a site entrance is proposed. The primary concern is navigating the internal office park roads, not the main thoroughfares.
• Easement Concerns: A significant discrepancy exists in the provided data regarding parcel size (35.02 acres vs. 2.97 acres). The 2.97-acre figure from Regrid appears more consistent with the APN's visual footprint. For a developed commercial parcel of this nature, it is highly probable that multiple utility, drainage, and access easements exist. A title report and ALTA survey are immediately required to confirm the legal parcel size and identify any easements that could materially constrain the buildable area.

2. Environmental Constraints

• FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA designation is listed as "Unknown." This is a critical data gap and a potential fatal flaw. Development within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) would require elevating all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, dramatically increasing costs and potentially triggering more stringent local review. Immediate verification using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center is required.
• Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is "Unknown." A preliminary screen using the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) mapper is a necessary first step. Given the developed nature of the site, the risk of federally protected wetlands is likely low, but stormwater management features or remnant low-lying areas could be present. A formal wetlands delineation by a qualified consultant will be required for permitting.
• Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site, which is a significant positive. The highly disturbed, commercial nature of the parcel makes the presence of endangered species unlikely. A desktop review using the USFWS IPaC tool should be sufficient to confirm this for initial diligence.
• Brownfield/Superfund Status: The property itself is not listed as a brownfield. The presence of a superfund site within two miles will likely be noted in a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) but is unlikely to impact this specific parcel unless a contamination plume has migrated. This does not appear to qualify for the 10% IRA brownfield adder, which requires the site itself to meet the definition of a brownfield. This is a missed opportunity, not an immediate risk.
• Pipeline Proximity: No major gas transmission pipelines are identified within a 3-mile radius. This is a major safety and layout advantage, as it eliminates concerns regarding pipeline setbacks and potential blast zone restrictions, simplifying the site design and safety planning process.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

• Nearest Substation: While the data is incomplete, satellite imagery analysis reveals what appears to be the ComEd Cumberland Substation located approximately 0.75 miles south of the site. This proximity is highly advantageous. The voltage class and, most importantly, the available capacity of this substation are critical unknowns. This is the single most important technical question to resolve.
• Transmission Infrastructure: A 138kV Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) transmission line is located 1.5 miles away. While technically an option, a transmission-level interconnection for a ≤5MW project would be financially unviable due to the high cost of a new switching station. This option should be disregarded for this project scale.
• Recommended Interconnection: The recommended point of interconnection (POI) is the local ComEd distribution system, likely originating from the Cumberland Substation. The voltage will likely be 12.47kV or 34.5kV. Overhead distribution feeders appear to run along Renaissance Drive, presenting a potentially cost-effective overhead tap as the primary interconnection method.