⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Investment 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, is situated within a well-developed commercial office park. Road access is excellent, with frontage on a public, paved road. The site's proximity to the I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) ensures that heavy haul trucks carrying large equipment such as battery containers, inverters, and main power transformers can reach the location with minimal logistical challenges. The local road network appears robust and designed for commercial traffic.

Based on aerial imagery and the typical geography of the Chicago suburban area, the site's topography is presumed to be extremely favorable — flat and previously graded for the existing office building development. This significantly reduces potential civil engineering costs associated with site preparation. The provided parcel size data is conflicting (35.02 acres vs. 2.97 acres from Regrid). Assuming the 2.97-acre parcel is the correct subject property, this is an adequate footprint for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) BESS project, which typically requires 1-2 acres. The primary buildable area would likely be a portion of the existing surface parking lot or an adjacent undeveloped grassed area. Access for heavy equipment like cranes and delivery trucks directly to the proposed BESS pad location appears feasible, though an internal site logistics plan would be required. A key consideration is securing an explicit access and construction easement from the landowner, Imperial Realty Co., to ensure our rights to cross their property to build and maintain the facility are legally protected.

2. Environmental Constraints

The environmental profile of this site presents both opportunities and critical unknowns. The data indicates no critical habitats, protected areas, or gas pipelines nearby, which are positive initial findings. However, several key data points require immediate investigation:

• FEMA Flood Zone: The flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical-path diligence item. If the site is located within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone AE), it could necessitate elevating all equipment on platforms, significantly increasing civil costs and potentially impacting project economics. Verification via the FEMA Flood Map Service Center is a top priority.
• Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is also Unknown. A desktop review using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. If potential wetlands are identified, a formal wetland delineation would be necessary. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands would trigger setback requirements (typically 50-100 feet), which could constrain the buildable area on the 2.97-acre parcel.
• Brownfield/Superfund Status: The property is not listed as a brownfield, but there is a Superfund site within two miles. This presents a dual-edged sword. Risk: There is a potential risk of soil or groundwater contamination migrating from the nearby site, which must be assessed via a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). Opportunity: If the Phase I ESA determines that our subject parcel meets the specific definition of a "brownfield site" under 42 U.S.C. § 9601(39) (e.g., due to the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance), it could qualify for the 10% Brownfield ITC adder under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This represents a significant potential upside.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection