• case study
    Jaeger Haus

    BAX Engineering’s residential team combined creativity, precision, and persistence to bring a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast to life in St. Charles County.

  • case study
    Cottleville Trails

    Spanning 337 acres in the heart of St. Charles County, Cottleville Trails stands as one of the largest and most defining residential developments in BAX Engineering’s portfolio. What began as a vision to create a connected community centered around lakes, walking paths, and open green space evolved into a coordinated effort involving thoughtful design, collaboration, and long-term planning.

  • Jaeger Haus

    jaeger haus

    Transforming A Tight Site Into A Boutique Lodging Destination

    Bax Engineering’s residential team combined creativity, precision, and persistence to bring a one-of-a-kind bed-and-breakfast to life in St. Charles County.

    the challenge

    Unlike large developments with expansive acreage, Jaeger Haus was designed for a narrow, irregular 0.29-acre parcel near a busy highway intersection – one of the smallest and most complex sites Bax has ever helped develop. The property presented multiple constraints: a creek bisected the lot, requiring setbacks and buffers that reduced the already limited buildable area; public frontage was minimal, complicating building access; and the land sat within a floodplain and lacked existing sewer connections.

    Every inch of the parcel had to be purposefully designed to make the project feasible. The layout needed to accommodate a driveway, parking lot, ADA-accessible sidewalks, lighting, septic system, retaining wall, and the building itself – all while meeting local and federal regulatory requirements.

    The project also required rezoning approval and review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers due to its proximity to protected waters. Further complicating matters, the team had to bore under a main road to access the water line and install a second four-inch line for the building’s fire sprinkler system. Additionally, the county applied commercial code standards to what was technically a residential bed-and-breakfast, adding another layer of complexity to an already intricate approval process.

    Each challenge pushed the team to go beyond technical execution, drawing on collaboration, patience, and creativity to find workable solutions.

    “At every step, the BAX team stood by me, not just as engineers but as true supporters. They checked in, celebrated my milestones, and believed in Jaeger Haus as much as I did. Their tenacity made the impossible possible.”

    Olivia Jaeger, Client & owner
    the solution

    Bax Engineering partnered closely with Olivia Jaeger, client and owner, to guide the project through an extensive series of regulatory reviews and design refinements. The team began by conducting a detailed boundary and topographic survey to define title lines, identify floodplain impacts, and capture existing conditions with accuracy.

    Site planning and grading design followed, carefully balancing the need for buildable space with floodplain compliance and drainage requirements. Bax prepared plats, legal descriptions, and detailed documentation to support the rezoning process and secure approvals from both the county and the Army Corps of Engineers.

    To address the infrastructure hurdles, Bax coordinated the design of underground utility bores beneath the roadway – a crucial step that enabled water and sprinkler connections without disrupting existing utilities or traffic flow. Each technical solution was shaped by the same persistence and adaptability that define Bax’s approach to problem-solving.

    the results

    Through thoughtful design and continuous collaboration, Bax Engineering transformed a challenging, irregular parcel into a viable, sustainable site plan. Jaeger Haus stands as proof that even small-scale projects can require the same ingenuity and precision as much larger developments.

    For the client, the project marked the realization of a dream – a boutique lodging destination that blends personal vision with professional execution. The final design turned what once seemed impossible into an inspiring example of what can be achieved through creativity and determination.

    the bax difference

    For Olivia, the vision behind Jaeger Haus was deeply personal. For Bax Engineering, helping her bring it to life was an opportunity to demonstrate how technical precision and client partnership come together on even the smallest of sites.

    Her experience reflects what defines Bax Engineering’s approach: a commitment to solving complex challenges while supporting the people and communities behind each project. Jaeger Haus illustrates that impact isn’t measured by lot size or budget, but by the dedication, collaboration, and trust that bring a shared vision to life.

    project overview

    CLIENT

    Woof Top, LLC

    LOCATION

    St. Charles County, Missouri

    PROJECT DATES

    APR 2022 – Under construction

    SITE SIZE

    0.29 acres

    services provided

    Land surveying (boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS
    Site planning & grading design
    Plat preparation & legal documentation
    Coordination for rezoning & regulatory approvals

    EXPLORE THIS PROJECT

    Click the photo to see full images

  • Cottleville Trails

    cottleville trails

    Transforming A Floodplain Into A Vibrant New Community

    Spanning 337 acres in the heart of St. Charles County, Cottleville Trails stands as one of the largest and most defining residential developments in Bax Engineering’s portfolio. What began as a vision to create a connected community centered around lakes, walking paths, and open green space evolved into a coordinated effort involving thoughtful design, collaboration, and long-term planning.

    Developed by DCM Land, LLC, the project required precise management of floodplain conditions, extensive grading, and coordination among multiple public agencies. Bax Engineering played a central role from concept through construction, providing a full range of in-house services including surveying, floodplain analysis, grading design, and stormwater management to make the development both buildable and sustainable.

    the challenge

    Located within an active floodplain, the Cottleville Trails site presented an immediate and complex engineering challenge: how to elevate and protect future homes without increasing flood risk elsewhere.

    The project required moving more than 3 million cubic yards of earth, designing new lakes that both sourced fill material and created aesthetic and recreational amenities, and completing extensive floodplain and hydrology modeling to meet FEMA compliance standards.
    Beyond the technical difficulty, the project also demanded close coordination between city officials, FEMA, multiple builders, and the development team. Each phase required meticulous analysis to ensure there was no rise in the base flood elevation, even as the property’s floodway was modified.

    The development’s scale and zoning complexity added to the challenge. Initially approved for a mix of single-family, attached, and apartment homes along with community amenities, the plan was later refined to include single-family and townhome residences, walking trails, lakes, and shared recreational spaces – all within a planned development framework. Each zoning revision required new engineering coordination and FEMA review to maintain compliance as the design evolved.

    “Cottleville Trails challenged us to think differently about floodplain development. Our in-house coordination across survey, engineering, and floodplain management made it possible to deliver a complex project efficiently and responsibly.”
    Jeff Simmons, Director of Residential Design, Bax Engineering Company
    the solution

    Bax Engineering approached the project with a coordinated strategy that brought surveying, engineering, and regulatory design together under one plan. The team conducted detailed boundary and floodplain surveys to establish site limits and elevations, then developed grading and stormwater designs that turned the property’s natural challenges into opportunities. A system of interconnected lakes provided both the necessary fill material and a lasting amenity for the community.

    By managing floodplain studies, FEMA map revisions, and infrastructure design in-house, Bax ensured a consistent approach from start to finish. Collaboration among surveyors, engineers, and project managers kept approvals moving efficiently and maintained the project’s momentum through each phase.

    the results

    Cottleville Trails has redefined what’s possible in residential development within a floodplain. The design not only restored and enhanced the site’s hydraulic performance but also created a resilient, attractive neighborhood featuring trails, open space, and recreational lakes.
    Homes have sold quickly, reflecting both the desirability of the location and the confidence that comes with sound engineering. The project continues to expand with additional phases, reinforcing its long-term success.

    With all major components handled in-house, from surveying to construction documentation, Bax Engineering ensured a seamless process that few firms could match in both scope and precision.

    the bax difference

    Cottleville Trails demonstrates Bax Engineering’s capacity to manage large, multifaceted developments that demand coordination across multiple disciplines and regulatory layers.

    Over 3 million cubic yards of earth moved to raise home sites above flood elevation, creation of multiple lakes for fill and community amenities, and FEMA map revisions to document floodplain changes.

    project overview

    CLIENT

    DCM Land, LLC

    LOCATION

    City of Cottleville, St. Charles County, Missouri

    PROJECT DATES

    2018 – Ongoing, Multi-phase development

    SITE SIZE

    337 acres (approx)

    services provided

    Land surveying (boundary, topographic, ALTA/NSPS
    Subdivision design & platting
    Floodplain studies & mitigation plans
    Site planning & grading design
    Stormwater management & roadway design
    Zoning & entitlement support
    Construction stakeout, plot plans & as-builts

    partners

    City of Cottleville
    FEMA (map review & approval)
    Kolb Grading
    DCM Land LLC

    EXPLORE THIS PROJECT

    Click on the photo to see full images