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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.