⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

CONFIDENTIAL - BESS SITE DILIGENCE ANALYSIS

Prepared for: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

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

Analyst: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

Date: October 26, 2023

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Equipment Delivery: The site exhibits excellent road access. It is located in a modern office park just off South Dee Road, with immediate access to Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway). The roads serving the property (Renaissance Drive) are public, paved, and appear to be constructed to a high standard, suitable for commercial traffic. This infrastructure is critical and suggests that delivery of heavy and oversized equipment, including 53-foot trailers carrying battery containers, medium-voltage transformers, and switchgear, is highly feasible. A preliminary review of satellite imagery shows no obvious low-clearance bridges, sharp turns, or weight-restricted roads on the primary access routes.

Terrain Characteristics: Consistent with the geography of the Chicago metropolitan area, the site's topography is expected to be nearly flat. This is a significant advantage, as it will minimize the need for extensive civil work, grading, and earthmoving, thereby reducing site preparation costs and timelines. A formal topographic survey will be required to confirm precise elevations and drainage patterns, but significant challenges are not anticipated.

Heavy Equipment Access: The existing curb cuts and internal circulation roads for the office park appear wide enough to accommodate construction vehicles. However, the key challenge will be navigating the developed parcel itself. A dedicated construction entrance and laydown area will need to be established, potentially requiring temporary removal of curbing, landscaping, or parking spaces. The ability to maneuver a large crane for setting the transformer and other heavy equipment must be confirmed via a constructability review.

Easement Concerns: While primary access is public, internal access to a specific BESS footprint on the parcel is a concern. The parcel (noted as 2.97 acres by Regrid, despite a 35.02-acre figure in other data) is already developed. An easement or portion of the site lease must grant clear, 24/7, unobstructed access for construction and ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M) vehicles. This access cannot be impeded by existing tenant parking or building operations. Requires Verification: An ALTA survey and title report are needed to confirm parcel size and identify any existing access or utility easements that could conflict with the proposed BESS layout.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently unknown. This is a critical data gap. Any designation other than Zone X (minimal flood hazard) could impose significant design constraints, such as elevating all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), or could render the site undevelopable. Requires Verification: Immediate check on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center is required.

Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is unknown. Given the developed nature of the site, the risk is likely low, but any delineated wetlands on or near the proposed BESS footprint would trigger significant state (IEPA) and federal (USACE) permitting requirements and mandatory setbacks, severely constraining the buildable area. Requires Verification: A desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) should be performed, followed by a formal wetland delineation if warranted.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The provided data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site. This is expected for a developed commercial parcel in a suburban environment and represents a low risk for the project.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The property itself is not listed as a brownfield. However, the presence of one Superfund/brownfield site within two miles presents a potential risk of soil or groundwater contamination migrating onto the subject property. It does not, however, make the site eligible for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder, which requires the site itself to be a qualified brownfield. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is mandatory to assess this risk and establish a baseline environmental condition.

Pipeline Proximity: The absence of major gas transmission pipelines within a three-mile radius is a significant safety and layout advantage. This eliminates concerns related to pipeline operator-mandated setbacks, explosion risks, and the need for specialized safety studies, simplifying the site design and permitting process.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection