New zoning regulations may potentially jeopardize the property rights of locals near Elon Musk's Starbase town.
The newly incorporated city of Starbase, Texas, has approved a zoning ordinance that divides its land into three regulated zones, aiming to regulate development within the city [1]. This move comes as Starbase serves as the main development and test site for SpaceX's Starship rocket program [2].
According to the Texas Local Government Code and legal experts from the University of Houston Law Center, this ordinance cannot prohibit property owners from continuing to use their land if they were previously compliant with county regulations before Starbase was incorporated [1]. This means residents maintain certain property rights despite the new zoning rules.
However, the new zoning has sparked concerns among residents regarding how it might impact their property rights. There are fears that restrictions could limit development options or affect property use going forward, even though current land uses predating incorporation are protected [5]. The ordinance also seems intended to restrict development as the city expands rapidly, which could increase tensions over permitted uses and property modifications [3][4].
Starbase, a city built around SpaceX's launch facility, has been warned that property usage may change. The shift in local policy could further affect accessibility and autonomy for residents who are not affiliated with the company [6]. The warning comes ahead of a public hearing scheduled for June 23 regarding a proposed zoning ordinance and a new citywide zoning map [7].
If approved, the change could disrupt residents' ability to continue their current activities on their own properties. The timing of the policy shift has raised questions about the balance between industrial goals and residential rights.
Starbase, located on the Texas Gulf Coast and encompassing 1.6 square miles, is home to approximately 500 residents, many of whom are either SpaceX employees or related to the company through family [8]. The city was officially formed earlier this month, with its initial governance being handled by SpaceX employees [9].
The affected area falls within a proposed "Mixed Use District," prioritizing residential, office, retail, and small-scale service activities [10]. Starbase has received over $20 billion in government contracts since 2008 [11].
The ninth Starship test flight ended in an explosion, marking the third major failure in the program's testing phase [12]. No injuries or property damage were reported from the explosion, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) [13].
The public hearing will take place at a temporary city hall in Brownsville, located near SpaceX's launch operations [7]. As of now, the city administrator, Kent Myers, and the city commission, along with SpaceX, have not issued public statements regarding the zoning changes or their long-term impact on property owners.
[1] Local Government Code [2] Space.com [3] SpaceNews [4] Austin American-Statesman [5] The Verge [6] CNN [7] Starbase Community [8] SpaceNews [9] Austin American-Statesman [10] Starbase Community [11] SpaceNews [12] CNN [13] SpaceNews
- In light of the new zoning ordinance, Starbase residents are apprehensive about how it may influence their property rights, with concerns arising about potential restrictions on development options or changes in property use.
- As Starbase continues to grow rapidly, the emphasis on the "Mixed Use District" in the zoning ordinance, which prioritizes residential, office, retail, and small-scale service activities, suggests that technology-related ventures such as space-and-astronomy and science could greatly impact the city's landscape and development.
