⚡ 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 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL (APN: 09221100050000)

1. Site Access & Topography

The subject property, located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, IL, exhibits excellent physical access characteristics. The site is served by public, paved roads within a developed commercial office park. Its proximity to major transportation corridors, including I-294 and I-90, is a significant logistical advantage for the delivery of heavy and oversized equipment such as battery containers, inverters, and main power transformers. While access appears robust, a detailed route survey will be required to verify local road weight limits and bridge clearances prior to equipment mobilization.

Based on its location in Cook County and its current use within an office park, the site's topography is presumed to be flat and previously graded. This is a considerable benefit, as it will likely minimize civil engineering and site preparation costs, which can be substantial on sloped or uneven terrain. The primary buildability concern is a significant discrepancy in the provided data regarding parcel size (35.02 acres vs. 2.97 acres). Assuming the 2.97-acre figure is for the specific APN, this is a suitable area for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) BESS project. However, this discrepancy must be resolved immediately via a review of county records. As the parcel is part of a larger commercial development, a thorough title search is critical to identify any existing access, utility, or restrictive easements that could encumber the property and constrain the final site layout.

2. Environmental Constraints

The environmental profile of the site presents several critical unknowns that must be addressed. Both the FEMA Flood Zone and Wetlands statuses are listed as "Unknown." These represent potential fatal flaws. Development within a designated flood hazard area (e.g., Zone A, AE) would necessitate costly mitigation, such as elevating all equipment pads above the Base Flood Elevation, and could complicate insurance and financing. Similarly, the presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger significant setback requirements, potentially reducing the buildable area to an unworkable size, and would require a lengthy and expensive delineation and permitting process through the Army Corps of Engineers. A desktop screening using FEMA's Map Service Center and the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) must be completed immediately.

On a positive note, the site shows a low risk for other common environmental constraints. There are no identified critical habitats for endangered species or designated protected areas on or near the parcel. The risk is further reduced by the site's developed, infill nature. While a brownfield/superfund site is located within two miles, it is not on the subject property, posing a low risk of soil or groundwater contamination. This means the project will not qualify for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder, which is a missed opportunity but not a direct risk. Finally, the absence of oil or gas pipelines within a three-mile radius is a significant safety and design