Over in the eastern edge of Brownsville is the area where Boca Chica becomes State Highway 4.

It's the only road in and out of the SpaceX launch site, and Boca Chica Beach.

Along this stretch of road is the Medrano ranch, run by the Medrano family.

Rene Medrano and his family use State Highway 4 to get to Boca Chica Beach. He said his neighborhood at the edge of Brownsville has changed since SpaceX moved in.

“It's hard for us to get there because you never know when the road is open,” Medrano said. “Now it seems that ever since SpaceX came in here, that road always seems to be closed at the good times that it needs to be open so that people can visit the beach."

Following an order from Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, those who live in the area of Starbase will get to vote to incorporate the area into a new city.

READ MORE: Cameron County approves election to make SpaceX's Starbase its own city

Medrano and his family said they’re worried that the proposed incorporation will limit more access to State Highway 4.

“We're worried if they're going to make a city out there, are they going to make their own rules to get to Boca Chica?” Medrano said. “If there is, are we going to have to pay to get through that road when it's open, if it's open at all?"

Brownsville Commissioner Tino Villarreal said the new city of Starbase should "not compromise public access to Boca Chica Beach."

“I want to make sure that our citizens understand that if there is any disruption that come, that I will continue to be a strong advocate for the needs and concerns of the citizens of Brownsville,” Villarreal said.

Villarreal said he does not believe a city has authority to act on the state-owned highway

Stuart Diamond, an attorney and spokesperson for the South Texas Surfrider Foundation, said he sees it differently.

“Under the law, the municipality can petition a state government, whether it's TxDOT or another entity, to be given an exemption from existing rules and regulations,” Diamond said. “That is always a concern, that they would apply for an exemption to basically control State Highway 4. Surfrider Foundation is extremely concerned about the public's right to beach access."

Channel 5 News spoke with the Texas Department of Transportation and was told, “Highway 4 is a state highway, and any request for closure requires TxDOT approval.”

Election Day on the proposed incorporation is set for Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Watch the video above for the full story.