⚡ 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 "Project Renaissance"

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

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the potential development of a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the subject property. The analysis covers key site characteristics, constraints, and opportunities to inform a go/no-go decision.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The property is located within a suburban office park, fronting Renaissance Drive. Access is listed as public, which is highly favorable. A desktop review using satellite imagery confirms the presence of well-maintained, paved asphalt roads typical of a commercial development. These roads appear sufficiently wide to accommodate standard semi-trailers for the delivery of battery containers, inverters, and switchgear.

Terrain & Equipment Feasibility: The topography in Park Ridge, and Cook County in general, is exceptionally flat. This significantly reduces the need for extensive civil engineering and grading, lowering potential site preparation costs. Heavy equipment, including cranes for setting transformers and battery enclosures, should have straightforward access. Action Item: A route survey is still required to verify bridge weight limits, turning radii, and the absence of low-hanging overhead lines on the final delivery route from the nearest interstate.

Easement Concerns: Primary access appears to be directly from a public right-of-way. However, there is a significant discrepancy in the provided data regarding parcel size (35.02 acres vs. 2.97 acres from Regrid). This must be clarified immediately. If the project site is part of a larger parent parcel or requires crossing adjacent property owned by others, a formal access and utility easement will be a critical requirement. Assuming the 2.97-acre parcel is correct, direct public access is likely, minimizing easement risk.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. If the site is located within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone AE), all equipment pads would need to be elevated above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), adding significant cost. If it is in a floodway, development would be prohibited. Action Item: Immediate review of the official FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for this parcel is required.

Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is Unknown. Development within wetlands is highly restrictive and requires extensive permitting and mitigation. State (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) and Federal (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) regulations mandate significant setbacks, which could render the site undevelopable. Action Item: A desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a necessary first step, to be followed by a formal wetland delineation by a qualified consultant if potential wetlands are identified.

Habitat & Species: The data indicates no critical habitats or protected areas on or immediately adjacent to the site, which is a significant positive and de-risks the project from a wildlife permitting perspective.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The subject parcel is not identified as a brownfield. While there is a Superfund site within two miles, it is unlikely to impact this property directly. This means the project will likely not qualify for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is still required to confirm no Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) exist on the property itself.