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Starbase Residents Warned: New Zoning Plan Could Revoke Property Usage Rights

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — Residents of Starbase, the rapidly evolving SpaceX company town formerly known as Boca Chica Village, have received a stark notice: They could lose the legal right to use their property as they currently do.

This unsettling development comes as Starbase, now officially a Type-C municipal corporation governed primarily by current and former SpaceX employees, rolls out a proposed Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and an updated citywide zoning map. The draft plan introduces a “Mixed Use District” designation, allowing for a blend of residential, commercial, and small-scale services. But for many residents, it threatens the continuity of how they’ve used their land for years.

What’s Changing in Starbase?

The City Commission plans to hold a public hearing on June 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., to finalize the rezoning initiative. In a memo signed by newly appointed City Administrator Kent Myers, residents were notified that the proposal may “determine whether you may lose the right to continue using your property for its current use.”

According to Texas Local Government Code §211.006(a-1), municipalities are legally required to inform landowners when zoning changes could impact current land use rights — an obligation the city fulfilled in this memo.

The proposed zoning shift marks a significant milestone in SpaceX’s broader ambition to build a futuristic, highly functional company town around its 1.6-square-mile Starship launch facility near the Texas Gulf Coast.

SpaceX’s Hold Over Starbase

Elon Musk's SpaceX has invested deeply in Starbase since renaming the region and expanding operations in the early 2020s. As of January 2025, approximately 500 people reside in Starbase, with over 260 directly employed by SpaceX, according to the Texas Tribune. Most other residents are family members of employees or contractors.

The town’s municipal government, formed earlier this month after a local election backed by SpaceX, offers the company nearly unrestricted authority to develop and control land use around the launch site.

From Rocket Launches to City Planning

Starbase isn’t just a residential town — it’s the site of SpaceX’s ambitious Starship program, designed to eventually carry humans to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Just this week, SpaceX completed its ninth Starship test launch. While the rocket once again exploded mid-air — marking a third consecutive failure — Musk emphasized the value of collecting technical data to improve the design.

Despite the setback, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed there was no damage to public property or injuries reported during the failed test.

SpaceX has secured over $20 billion in U.S. government contracts since 2008 and continues to win new deals annually, strengthening its role not just in aerospace but also in the economy and urban planning.

Tensions Between Innovation and Rights

While SpaceX’s vision for a high-tech company town is clear, local residents are now caught between technological progress and personal property rights.

At the heart of the zoning overhaul is the “Mixed Use District” proposal, which promotes integration of housing with offices, retail shops, and services. However, critics argue that such changes may eventually pressure non-SpaceX residents to sell, move, or conform to a commercialized version of Starbase that prioritizes company operations over community needs.

There’s also growing concern about access to public infrastructure. SpaceX has previously requested to close public roads and beaches during launch tests — moves that have been met with scrutiny from local officials and environmental advocates.

What Residents Should Know

If you are a Starbase resident, you’re advised to:

• Review the proposed zoning ordinance and map at cityofstarbase-texas.com (available 72 hours prior to the public hearing).
• Submit written comments by 3:00 p.m. on June 22, 2025, to the City Administrator.
• Attend the Public Hearing on June 23, 2025, at the temporary city hall at 39046 LBJ Boulevard, Brownsville, TX.

Final Thoughts

The transformation of Boca Chica Village into Starbase reflects Elon Musk’s ambitious vision not just for space travel, but for reimagining communities. However, as SpaceX gains more autonomy, the line between corporate expansion and community consent becomes increasingly blurred.

Whether residents of Starbase embrace the change or push back, June’s public hearing may become a turning point — not just for this small town, but for the future of private-sector-led city development in America.