⚡ 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 Renaissance"

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

Recommendation: MAYBE

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the property located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, Illinois, for the potential development of a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The analysis identifies significant potential due to valuable federal incentives and a strong location, but also flags critical unknowns regarding grid access and regulatory approval that must be resolved before committing further capital.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Feasibility: The site benefits from excellent public road access. It is located in a well-developed commercial office park just off Interstate 294 and Higgins Road. Access is provided by Renaissance Drive, a paved, multi-lane public road capable of handling heavy vehicle traffic. This existing high-quality infrastructure suggests that delivery of large, heavy equipment, including BESS containers, switchgear, and pad-mount transformers, will be straightforward. A final route survey is recommended to confirm the absence of low-clearance bridges or local weight restrictions.

Topography & Site Conditions: Based on its location in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, the site's topography is presumed to be flat with minimal grade. The parcel appears to be part of a developed office park, suggesting it has been previously graded. This significantly reduces earthwork and civil engineering costs compared to a raw, undeveloped site. The parcel size is listed as both 35.02 acres and 2.97 acres in different data sources; the 2.97-acre figure from Regrid is more consistent with the APN's visual footprint and is more than sufficient for a 5MW BESS project. This discrepancy must be verified via a survey.

Easement Concerns: As a developed commercial parcel, there is a high likelihood of existing utility, access, or drainage easements crossing the property. A full title report and ALTA survey are required to identify any such encumbrances, as they could materially impact the usable area and constrain the final site layout.

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 A, AE) would likely be a fatal flaw for development due to risks and prohibitive mitigation costs. Similarly, the presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger significant setback requirements and a lengthy, expensive permitting process through the Army Corps of Engineers. A desktop screening using FEMA and National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps is an immediate next step.

Habitat & Protected Species: The data indicates no critical habitats or protected areas on or near the site, which is a significant positive. This is expected for a developed, infill commercial location. A formal review using the USFWS IPaC tool should still be conducted as a standard diligence measure to confirm and document this finding.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The presence of a Superfund site within two miles is noted. This does not mean the subject property is contaminated, but it increases the risk profile of the area. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is mandatory to assess potential contamination and establish a baseline for liability protection. Crucially, if the Phase I ESA determines the site itself meets the definition of a brownfield (e