Homeowners raise concerns at Starbase city commission meeting

STARBASE, Texas – Lack of transparency, taking over people’s properties, ad valorem taxes and under representation were some of the concerns voiced during a public hearing of the commission of the City of Starbase.

The meeting took place at a temporary location of the city commission on LBJ Blvd, now a public street that will be closed soon to the public as it passed a resolution regarding a “controlled access device.”

The boulevard, along with Esperson, Memes and Saint Jude streets, will have electronic gates with key pads.

Andy Messer, the city attorney they have experienced situations in which people with unfriendly intentions have gone into the areas where scores of homes and trailers are located.

“That is a travesty,” said Mike Montes Jr., as the June 23 meeting was on pause while the three-member commission went into an executive session meeting. “I think they are trying to have a private interplanetarian community.”

He was one of about 80 people who showed up at the meeting where the public was allowed to voice its support or opposition regarding an ordinance to adopt a comprehensive zoning ordinance, establishing zoning districts and adopting in land use regulations, among other things.

Mike Montes

Six people either said they were against or wanting to see transparency while two others said they like Starbase or are ready to do business with the rocket corporation.

Some of the concerned citizens came from as far as Florida and California and were there to represent properties they either own or are owned by their relatives.

Rose Applegate said change is inevitable, adding she is concerned about having balance between private development and the local flora and fauna, particularly along Texas Highway 4 and Boca Chica Beach.

“We just want to make sure the environment is protected,” she said. ”We would also like to see more transparency in the way business is being conducted here.”

Montes, who owns a ranch along Texas Highway 4, said he strongly believes Starbase will eventually become a wasteland or a Brownfield site.

He also said the map the city is proposing is something to be reckoned with.

“Have you seen it?” he said. “It looks like a spider web on LSD.”

Other people said the city is not transparent about its meetings and expressed surprise to hear that the commission met recently and also said the council is made up of people connected to Starbase one way or another.

A councilman said the meetings are posted online and 72 hours before they take place.

Messer emphasized Monday’s public hearing was about adopting the zoning ordinances and had nothing to do with condemnation or eminent domain but some in the audience said that is coming up next.

The council held other public hearings to annex land what would incorporate a combined 90 plus acres.

In other business, the council approved:

• Issuing the sale of a $1.5 million tax note.
• A five months budget of $1.2 million.
• To table action from five bank proposals for depository services.

Keith Myers, the city administrator, said Starbase has made a few accomplishments since it officially became a city on May 20.

He said they have received 109 residential applications and have approved 104 as well as two commercial businesses.

“There is also the possibility of establishing an enterprise zone,” he said. “We have had a high level of activities unmatched by other cities in the state of Texas.”

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