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.
Haven Pointe
Haven pointe
Advancing Affordable Housing Through Community-Focused Engineering
Haven Pointe represents a meaningful milestone for Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County as the organization’s 100th home and a major step forward in expanding affordable homeownership. Created in partnership with Habitat, the development reflects a shared commitment to thoughtful planning, infrastructure, and long-term growth of the surrounding community.
Bax Engineering’s Role
BAX Engineering became involved through its longstanding relationship with Habitat, providing surveying and civil engineering support across multiple projects over the years. For Haven Pointe, BAX was engaged early to help guide the project from initial planning through approvals and ongoing development.
Through proactive coordination and thoughtful design, BAX helped position the project for efficient approvals and long-term success.
“Haven Pointe is more than a development – it’s a promise to families in St. Charles County that homeownership is within reach. BAX Engineering has been an incredible partner in bringing that promise to life. Their expertise and commitment helped us navigate complex approvals and keep the project moving forward.”Coordinating Planning and Approvals
Haven Pointe required close coordination with municipal partners and alignment with local planning objectives. BAX worked closely with the City of Wentzville to ensure the development complemented existing infrastructure and supported future growth.
As part of the project, right-of-way was allocated to accommodate a future roadway, enhancing connectivity and reinforcing the site’s long-term value to the community. BAX’s familiarity with local processes and approval pathways helped maintain momentum and ensure clear communication among all stakeholders.
Community Impact
At its core, Haven Pointe is about expanding access to affordable homeownership for families in St. Charles County. The development supports Habitat for Humanity’s mission to strengthen families and neighborhoods through stable, attainable housing.
Beyond engineering and project approvals, BAX team members actively support Habitat’s efforts to provide a hand up to future homeowners. BAX’s involvement includes participating in the Beams of Hope initiative, volunteering at the Habitat ReStore and on build sites, attending fundraisers and special events, and serving on Habitat’s Board of Directors.
Creating Long-Term Community Value
Haven Pointe showcases Bax Engineering’s ability to deliver thoughtful, community-focused engineering solutions for residential developments. By working alongside Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County, municipal partners, and future homeowners, BAX helped create a project that balances technical excellence with lasting social impact.
For BAX, Haven Pointe is more than a subdivision – it’s a testament to how engineering can help build stronger communities and create places where families can put down roots and thrive.
project overview
CLIENT
Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County
LOCATION
Wentzville, St. Charles County, Missouri
PROJECT DATES
October 2022 – Ongoing
SITE SIZE
11.5 acres
services provided
Rezoning support
Land surveying
Subdivision layout and plat preparation
Site planning and grading
Stormwater managementEXPLORE THIS PROJECT
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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.”
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 approvalsEXPLORE THIS PROJECT
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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.”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-builtspartners
City of Cottleville
FEMA (map review & approval)
Kolb Grading
DCM Land LLCEXPLORE THIS PROJECT
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