⚡ 1115 COHANNET ST

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The subject property has approximately 400 feet of direct frontage on Cohannet Street (MA Route 138), a major state-numbered highway. Based on satellite imagery review, this road appears to be a well-maintained, two-lane paved road capable of supporting heavy truck traffic. This direct, high-quality access is a significant advantage for the project.

Equipment Delivery: The excellent road frontage and likely commercial-grade entrance points (given its past use as an auto repair facility) suggest that delivery of heavy and oversized equipment, including battery containers, medium-voltage transformers, and switchgear, will be feasible. There should be ample space for staging and crane operations directly from the public right-of-way or just inside the property line.

Topography: While a formal topographical survey is required, the site appears to be relatively flat, consistent with the surrounding developed commercial and suburban landscape in Taunton. This is highly favorable, as it will minimize civil engineering and site preparation costs associated with grading and earthwork. The 5.63-acre parcel size provides flexibility in siting equipment to avoid any minor topographical challenges.

Easement Concerns: With extensive direct frontage on a public road, a dedicated access easement across third-party land is not anticipated to be necessary. However, a title search must be conducted to identify any existing utility easements (e.g., for gas, water, or existing electrical lines) that may cross the property and constrain the buildable area.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. Action Item: A review of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for this parcel is required immediately. If the site is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A or AE), development costs will increase substantially due to requirements for elevating equipment above the Base Flood Elevation. Siting within a designated floodway would likely render the project infeasible.

Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is Unknown. Given the site's location in Massachusetts, which has stringent wetland protection laws (Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act), this is a major risk. Action Item: A desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is the first step, followed by a formal wetland delineation by a certified professional if the screening indicates potential resources. Any jurisdictional wetlands will require significant setbacks (typically 100 feet or more), which could severely reduce the buildable acreage.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The initial data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site, which is a positive finding. This should be confirmed via the USFWS IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) online tool as part of formal due diligence.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The data notes six Brownfield/Superfund sites within a two-mile radius, and the property's historical land use is listed as "Auto Repair." This combination presents both a significant risk and a potential opportunity.

• Risk: There is a high probability of on-site contamination (e.g., from underground storage tanks, hydraulic lifts, solvent use). A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is mandatory. A "dirty" Phase I would necessitate a Phase II ESA (soil and groundwater sampling), potentially leading to costly remediation and project delays.
• Opportunity: If the site is confirmed to be contaminated, it may qualify as a "brownfield site" under IRA guidelines, making the project eligible for a 10% ITC adder. This potential financial upside must be weighed against the tangible costs and liabilities of cleanup.

Pipeline Proximity: No major gas transmission pipelines are identified within a three-mile radius, mitigating risks associated with pipeline-related setbacks and safety protocols.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Nearest Substation & Transmission: The nearest substation is TAP135391, located 1.5 miles from the site, with a maximum voltage of 115 kV. A 115kV transmission line is also noted at a similar distance. This distance is a major challenge for a distribution-scale project.

Recommended Interconnection Voltage: For a project ≤5MW, a transmission-level (115 kV) interconnection would be economically unviable. The only feasible path is a distribution-level interconnection, likely at 13.8 kV. The critical unknown is the location, capacity, and voltage of the nearest 3-phase distribution feeder originating from the TAP135391 substation. We must assume a feeder runs along Cohannet Street, but this Requires Verification with the utility.

Estimated Cost & Timeline: An interconnection requiring a 1.5-mile line extension is extremely expensive and risky. A rough order-of-magnitude cost for a 1.5-mile, 13.8 kV overhead distribution line extension could range from $1.5M to $3.0M+, not including any required substation upgrades. If underground construction is required, costs would be significantly higher. The timeline for such an extension, including study, engineering, and construction, could easily exceed