I like the general idea of having the freedom to set up a starbase not unlike a planet.   There would be limits...maybe a slot limit for certain types.   Then I could specialize or not;  specialization producing the greatest return but being less flexible.    You could have slot limits for development (res + cul + manf) as a  whole,  and another limit for defenses.   The limits would be low enough that tough choices have to be made.   And perhaps techs to add slots, who knows.

Interesting idea.

As I said additional modules only a basic set and the secondary role does not add management task only in case where a starbase is a trade port and you use the starbase to send-receive ships instead a planet.

To expand this idea.. Saying Starbase with a trade port has 3 planets as sponsors. All trading is shared between 3 planets. A planet can sponsor only 1 Starbase and it counts as 1 trade route.

It appears that starbases will be able to have population, so I expect more developments ...