It shall be unlawful to commence or engage in the construction, operation, or maintenance of a cable communications system without a franchise issued under this chapter. The Board, by ordinance, may award a franchise to construct, operate, and maintain a cable communications system within all or any portion of the unincorporated area of the County to any person, whether operating under an existing franchise or not, who makes an application for authority to furnish a cable communications system which complies with the terms and conditions of this chapter; provided, however, this section shall not be deemed to require the grant of a franchise to any particular person or to prohibit the Board from restricting the number of grantees should the Board determine such a restriction would be in the public interests. Any franchise for the construction, maintenance, and operation of cable communications systems using the public streets, utility easements, other public rights-of-way, or places shall conform to the provisions of this chapter, (§ 1, Ord. 961, eff. October 27, 1983)