Zoning 'limbo' at center of latest Starbase meeting

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — It was a packed house at the latest Starbase City Commission meeting as many people who own property in Starbase voiced their concerns about zoning plans the city is considering.

Many feel their properties are being threatened by the city's main industry of SpaceX.

“As you make decisions for continued development, change is inevitable; however, please remember we are people, not just lot numbers on a map as the city of Starabse develops," said Rose Applegate.

Landowner William Bruns says he left the meeting with more questions than answers.

“When you send a letter to people who are landowners, and you give them a threat, saying you're going to lose your property rights with its current use, that's a threat," Bruns said. "I just take it as a threat, because you're going to lose your rights. So, when I get here and they can't give me answers, that doesn't speak well for intentions, it just doesn't.”

Barbara Hill, has owned her property since the 1980's. While she supports Starbase and it's development, she says right now she feels like she's in limbo when it comes to her property rights.

“I don’t know where my land is going, what is happening, and I don’t know what my restrictions are, what limitations I am going to have," Hill said. "Am I proud to be part of SpaceX? Absolutely, but I believe they need to define and explain where we are headed.”

Concerns were echoed after Starbase mailed out a series of letters to property owners and while the language on it may seem scary, it is required by law. The City of Starbase had not choice but to mail them out.

And while many had concerns, some like Richard Park says the commission needs more time to come up with answers.

“Nobody knows what is going to happen in ten years but its not on the table but it doesn’t mean that it could never be and that is very reasonable," Park said. "We can’t ask guarantees for the end of time.”

Starbase City Attorney Andy Messer says zoning was never about taking away property.

“There have been multiple comments that we have received that reference or condemnation or eminent domain," Messer said. "That is not what zoning is. Condemnation is a separate process under the Texas Property Code, and the owner is entitled to receive fair value for that property. That is not what this is.”

The City also issued a statement on zoning after the meeting, stating, "These important documents not only provide an essential framework for our new city, but also reflect the careful planning required to meet both the demands of public safety and flexibility for future development. Starbase is a city like no other, and because we have an active launch site, it’s critical we create a structure where industrial, commercial, and residential interests can exist side by side.”

Still, Bruns and others are keeping their options open, in case they need to take legal action.

“They're saying, oh, we're not going to do condemnation," Bruns said. "We're not doing eminent domain, any of that stuff. Well, ordinances are a tool. If you don't comply with what they want, things happen."

The next regular city meeting will be held in July. However, plans for a special city meeting to discuss banking issues may take place before then.