Unless otherwise allowed by the Chula Vista gaming plan, the number of licenses authorized for issuance under the provisions of this chapter shall be limited, based upon the population of the City as shown upon the population certified by the State Department of Finance. Unless otherwise allowed by the Chula Vista gaming plan, the number so authorized shall be one per 40,000 residents or any fraction thereof. Unless otherwise allowed by the Chula Vista gaming plan, all such licenses shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, unless otherwise provided by the Chula Vista gaming plan, those Persons holding a license to conduct cardroom operation upon the effective date of this section may continue to hold such licenses, subject to the revocation provisions set forth in this chapter. Unless otherwise allowed by the Chula Vista gaming plan, any license issued pursuant to this chapter may be transferred upon the approval of the Chief of Police to a Person meeting all of the requirements for the initial issuance of such a cardroom license, subject to the ratification of the City Council, which approval may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Chief of Police and which ratification may be withheld in the sole discretion of the City Council, and such approval and ratification may, but is not required to, be based entirely or in part on the assessment by the Chief of Police or, as applicable, the City Council, of the character of the proposed licensee, or when, in the opinion of the approving or ratifying entity, there appears to be good cause why such Person should not operate a cardroom; provided, however, that, unless otherwise provided by the Chula Vista gaming plan, with the exception of those licenses which have been issued prior to the effective date of the ordinance set forth in this section and CVMC 5.20.040, no license may be so transferred unless the holder thereof has been operating a cardroom for three years at a fixed location in the City. For the purposes of this section, unless otherwise provided by the Chula Vista gaming plan, it shall be deemed to be a transfer of a license requiring approval of the Chief of Police and ratification by the City Council if a shareholder of a corporate licensee transfers any shares in the corporate licensee. Unless otherwise provided by the Chula Vista gaming plan, it shall also be deemed to be a transfer of a license requiring approval of the Chief of Police and ratification by the City Council if a partner of a partnership licensee transfers all or any portion of his or her partnership interest. (Ord. 2655 § 1, 1995; Ord. 2528 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2347 § 1, 1990; Ord. 2150 § 1, 1986; Ord. 1738 § 1, 1977; Ord. 1305 § 2; prior code § 9.102(2)).