(Photo courtesy/ John Kraus)
By TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON, DIANTÉ MARIGNY, ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
“Starbase, Texas is now a real city!” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced on X over the weekend, celebrating a decisive vote that transformed a long-discussed idea into official status.
On May 3, voters within the proposed city limits approved incorporation by a landslide: 212 in favor and only 6 opposed. Just 283 residents were eligible to vote — most of them SpaceX employees and their families
— as nearly all residential property within the new boundaries is owned by SpaceX.
Located near Boca Chica Beach at the southeastern edge of Cameron County, the newly incorporated city encompasses the area surrounding SpaceX’s launch and development facilities. With the vote, Starbase will
now operate as a Type C municipality under Texas law, allowing for a simplified form of local government.
Voters also selected their first city officials, both of whom are affiliated with Space X: Mayor Bobby Peden
and commissioner Jenna Petrzelka. Peden ran unopposed.
While the incorporation marks a legal milestone, its practical effects remain uncertain. County officials note that local control could eventually impact emergency services, infrastructure, and zoning regulations. For
now, however, a name once considered a novelty has become an official dot on the map.
Yet, as some celebrate the city’s formation, others express concern over the broader implications—especially when it comes to public access and corporate control.
At the center of that concern is Senate Bill 2188, a companion to House Bill 4660, which could shift authority over road closures on Highway 4—the only public access to Boca Chica Beach—from Cameron County to SpaceX. Under current law, county officials control beach access, coordinating with SpaceX for spaceflight activities. If the legislation passes, SpaceX will gain the authority to close the road Monday through Thursday, while the county would retain control on weekends.
The bill faced initial resistance. On April 28, the Texas House State Affairs Committee voted 7–6 against advancing it. However, the next day, Representative John Smithee, who was absent from the original vote,
called for a revote. With two additional members present, the committee reversed course, approving the bill 8–6 on April 30 and sending it to the House floor. The current legislative session concludes on June 2.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. responded to the bill in a public letter, calling SpaceX a “strong economic driver” for the region but warning that “this bill does not serve the public interest and has received
an overwhelmingly negative response from the community.”
Representative Jamie Lopez, speaking during the House State Affairs Committee meeting, voiced strong support for the bill. “This bill is not taking the Boca Chica beach away from the public,” she said. “HB 4660
does not change the amount of closures allowed, which is less than one percent of an entire year. Public access will continue to be protected under the Texas Open Beaches Act, and this does not change it.” She also noted that the new municipality would still be subject to all County, State, and Federal laws. However, critics argue the bill would shift significant power into the hands of a company town. Rob Nixon, Vice Chair of the Surfrider Foundation in South Texas, is among the most vocal opponents.
“We’re against it because this is in anticipation of Starbase incorporating itself as a town in Cameron County,” Nixon said. “We believe this bill was written to hand over complete control of Highway Four and the
access to Boca Chica Beach to Starbase.”
Nixon emphasized the potential conflict of interest in a town where most voters are SpaceX employees. He added that Surfrider has tried to work with SpaceX to find a compromise on beach access, but those talks
went nowhere.
“Because they [SpaceX] are worth so much money, everyone is afraid to challenge them because they don’t have the same resources SpaceX does to try and battle it,” said Nixon. “Let me be clear, I believe in the
idea of SpaceX. What Surfrider wants is for them to follow the rules. Since the beginning, they’ve flown by the rules and gotten a pass every time. You give an inch, they take a mile. Whatever they agreed to in the
past, they go beyond that.”
Defending the proposal, State Senator Adam Hinojosa stated that SB 2188 would not authorize more launches but would streamline the process for temporary closures. “The purpose of these bills is to create a
streamlined process for temporary beach closures surrounding spaceflight activities, while still respecting the rights of our communities and national security,” Hinojosa said.
However, the scope of launches may still expand. SpaceX has submitted a request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase its annual launch limit from five to 25. On May 6, the FAA issued a
favorable environmental review, stating that the proposed increase would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment — a key step forward in the licensing process.
Still, the FAA must complete additional reviews related to safety, policy, payload, and financial responsibility before issuing a final decision on SpaceX’s application.
As Starbase transitions from concept to city, the implications stretch far beyond a name change. From governance and public access to environmental oversight and national aerospace goals, the next chapter at Boca Chica is being written — one launch, one vote, and one decision at a time.