⚡ 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" (1480 RENAISSANCE DR, Park Ridge, IL 60068)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the property located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, Cook County, Illinois (APN: 09-22-110-005-0000). The analysis evaluates the site's suitability for the development of a distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of up to 5MW. The findings are based on the provided property data and preliminary desktop research.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Feasibility: The site has excellent access. It is located in a well-developed suburban office park with direct frontage on Renaissance Drive, a paved, public road. This road connects to major local arterials, including South Dee Road and Higgins Road (IL-72), providing straightforward access to the regional highway system. The quality of the existing infrastructure is high and appears fully capable of supporting heavy truck traffic for equipment delivery.

Terrain Characteristics: The topography in Park Ridge and the greater Chicago area is exceptionally flat. We can assume with high confidence that the site has minimal grade change, which is ideal for BESS development as it significantly reduces civil engineering and site preparation costs. No major grading or earthwork is anticipated.

Heavy Equipment Access: Access for heavy equipment, including cranes for setting transformers and battery containers, appears feasible. The road network is designed for commercial traffic. A detailed route survey would be required to confirm bridge weight limits and turning radii, but this is considered a low-risk item. The primary challenge will be maneuvering equipment on the parcel itself, especially given the presence of an existing multi-story office building that would require demolition.

Easement Concerns: As a developed commercial parcel within an office park, there is a high likelihood of existing utility easements (power, water, sewer, communications) and potentially cross-access easements. A title report and ALTA survey are required to identify any encumbrances that could restrict the buildable area for the BESS compound. The parcel size discrepancy between the 35.02 acres listed and the 2.97 acres from Regrid must be clarified; this analysis assumes the 2.97-acre parcel is the subject of development.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. A desktop review using the FEMA Map Service Center is an immediate next step. If the site is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A, AE), development costs could increase substantially due to requirements for elevating equipment, or the site could be rendered entirely undevelopable. This is a potential fatal flaw.

Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is Unknown. A review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. Given the developed nature of the site