Eminent domain not part of Starbase letter to residents, attorney says

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Starbase City Commission will meet to discuss zoning issues later this month.

Some residents in the new city are worried about a letter they received notifying them about the meeting and what it means for their property.

Attorney Jay Pena from Rio Grande City helps analyze the letter.

“A lot of folks seem to be alarmed by the language of the letter," Pena said. "It's hard to ignore the bold words. I see the intimidation factor, but I think there are good intentions behind it.”

Pena says the letter is a required notice by state law. It is a standard process as cities designate certain areas for either industrial, residential, or commercial use.

“I can understand the fear, I can understand the reservation because it is an unprecedented situation," Pena adds. "It is a situation that I have never seen before."

However, since this involves a large company like SpaceX, he sees the process going at a faster rate, considering the city was incorporated less than a month ago.

“This is the perfect example of a local legislation driven by a corporation, so in that way it is a little unprecedented and unique to me," Pena said. "It happens, but usually is not this quickly and is not as well structured as this one is.”

Pena says the letter is not threatening eminent domain, and residents should not worry about that.

“There are not any decisions that will be made on that particular day from what I can see from this letter that talks about taking any property," Pena adds. "This is just to establish zoning ordinances and to propose a zoning map, but this is the opportunity for a public hearing.”

He says any residents who receive the letters should attend the meeting, so they can ask about any worries they have concerning their properties.

“I would want to know first and foremost if my particular property would lie in a particular zone," Pena said. "I’m assuming they are mainly leaning towards the establishment of what would be an industrial zone. Something favorable to SpaceX.

Pena says residents should also ask about any fears or new activities at the SpaceX rocket launch site that could potentially damage their property.

A mixed-use district can include homes, commercial, and industrial areas created by the city.

He expects Starbase officials will provide residents with a comprehensive zoning plan and map at the meeting.

“It seems like it's in their best interest to come up with zoning ordinances that ensure the public health and welfare," Pena said. "In Texas, at least, that happens to be one of the main concerns behind some of these laws that govern cities like Starbase.”

Last week, ValleyCentral spoke to new Starbase City Administrator Kent Myers, who told us the city is required to hold a meeting about zoning issues.

The meeting will be on June 23 at Starbase, located at 39046 LBJ Blvd.