Starbase delays plan to annex 1,200 acres into city limits, citing ‘more information needed’

City of Starbase officials delayed a vote to approve a municipal annexation plan and expansion of its extraterritorial jurisdiction that would have added more than 1,200 acres to the city’s boundaries on Wednesday night. 

The agenda item was tabled until their next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 19. 

“The annexation was part of the Rockhands mitigation area, so we want to annex it into the city limits so we can implement the wetlands preservation,” said Kent Myers, Starbase city administrator. “It was tabled until the November meeting to gather additional information.” 

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. was listed as the owner of the swath of land just north of the city boundaries, according to the agenda, but not on Cameron County deed records as of Oct. 14. 

The city of Starbase did approve a resolution to create a volunteer advisory committee known as the natural resources committee tasked to oversee restoration of wetlands, beach dunes, and more.

The five-member committee would be comprised of self-described subject matter experts who are residents of Starbase interested in environmental conservation efforts for two-year terms. 

The committee is expected to advise the city on best practices for its planned Rockhands wetland mitigation area.