STARBASE — The city commission plans to annex about 7,133 acres of surrounding land, with a final vote on the annexation planned for September.
The proposed voluntary annexation affects more than 800 properties, much of which are state and federally owned, according to a document listing all properties and owners.
“Property owners will be provided a petition to sign indicating whether or not they want to be annexed into the area,” according to a city of Starbase flyer answering frequently asked questions.
The petition period lasts until August and requires that more than 50% of registered voters or more than 50% of landowners agree to be annexed before action by the commission can occur, according to the Texas Municipal League.
“As a newly incorporated city, this is the appropriate time to establish clear, orderly boundaries and a framework for growth rather than reacting later without planning tools in place,” the flyer read. It also noted that the annexation would “ensure public safety and security” for its community.
The city of Starbase commission initially approved a resolution of intent to annex surrounding land on Feb. 18. Per state law, the flyer said “the annexation is following required state notices, public hearings, and opportunities for property owners to participate.”
The city commission recently had its first of three public hearings on March 18 at a SpaceX building known as “The Hub,” which is acting as a temporary city hall for the young city.
Bekah Hinojosa, co-founder of The South Texas Environmental Justice Network, spoke on behalf of two out-of-state property owners.
They were unable to speak because the meeting does not accept Zoom calls, she said.
One of them, from Colorado, owns four properties and is against the annexation because property values will go down, Hinojosa said.
Christopher Basaldú, also co-founder of the environmental justice group, noted that the proposed annexation would exceed a 10% land limit on the percent of its land area that a city can annex in a given year. Combined with a potential 700-acre land exchange with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the amount of land is far too great, he claimed.
Starbase City Clerk Gretchen Norton later disputed Basaldú, saying that the 10% land limit applies only to involuntary annexation.
One public speaker, representing Helcamp Mineral Partnership, originally planned to speak, but later withdrew their comment.
Others expressed appreciation and support for the commission.
Anthony Gomez is managing partner of Rocket Ranch, a nearby launch viewing site. He introduced himself as a city resident during the meeting, but lives right outside the proposed city limits.
Gomez clapped when a property owner spoke in support of the annexation.
“It’s mostly a kind of a scrubland delta flood plane. There’s not very much that you can do on it, so I don’t foresee them building on it,” said Gomez. “I just foresee them kind of utilizing it to patrol that area more effectively.”
The people that live there get to see their neighborhood grow, with water and power and nice restaurants, he said.
The city’s annexation efforts come as the city discusses construction of underground utilities and the creation of a local police department.
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