⚡ 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 1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL

1. Site Access & Topography

The subject property, located at 1480 Renaissance Dr in Park Ridge, IL, is situated within a well-established suburban office park. Road access is excellent, with direct frontage on Renaissance Drive, a paved public road, which connects to major thoroughfares like South Dee Road. Based on aerial imagery and regional data for Cook County, the site's topography is expected to be flat with minimal grade, which is ideal for BESS development as it significantly reduces civil engineering and site preparation costs.

Feasibility for heavy equipment delivery is high. The existing road network is designed to handle commercial traffic, including delivery trucks and construction vehicles. The primary challenge for delivering large components like transformers and battery containers will not be the public roads, but rather the internal site circulation. The current layout includes an existing multi-story office building and associated parking lots. Access pathways for cranes and delivery vehicles must be carefully planned to avoid conflicts with existing structures, landscaping, and underground utilities. A detailed logistics plan and swept path analysis will be required. No access easement concerns are immediately apparent as the property has direct public road frontage; however, easements for new utility infrastructure will need to be established.

2. Environmental Constraints

The environmental profile of this site presents several unknowns that require immediate investigation.

• FEMA Flood Zone: The designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. A review of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is a top priority. Given the developed nature of the area, it is likely designated as Zone X (area of minimal flood hazard), but this must be verified. Any designation within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A, AE) would introduce significant design constraints, requiring elevated foundations and potentially rendering the project financially unviable.
• Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is Unknown. A desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is the first step. While the likelihood is low on a developed parcel, drainage features or low-lying areas could be classified as wetlands, triggering setback requirements (typically 50-100 feet) and necessitating costly permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Habitat & Species: The data indicates no critical habitats or protected areas on or near the site, which is a significant positive. Risk of endangered species constraints is considered very low.
• Brownfield/Superfund: There is one Superfund site located within two miles, but not on the subject parcel. The current use as a commercial office building makes it highly unlikely that the site itself would qualify as a brownfield. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is required to confirm the absence of Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs). If contamination were discovered, it could present a major risk (cleanup liability) but also a potential opportunity to qualify for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder. At this stage, it should be viewed as a risk.
• Pipeline Proximity: No gas pipelines are identified within a three-mile radius. This is a major safety and design advantage, eliminating concerns related to pipeline setbacks and explosion risk.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Grid access is the most significant uncertainty and risk for this project. The provided data is incomplete, requiring immediate investigation.

• Substation & Distribution: The nearest substation and its available capacity are Unknown. This is