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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/5/2020 - Regular TOWN OF VINTON 311 S. POLLARD STREET VINTON, VIRGINIA 24179 PHONE: (540) 983-0605 FAX: (540) 983-0621 ANITA MCMILLAN EMAIL: amcmillan@vintonva.gov PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR February 27, 2020 TO: VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION Mr. Keith Liles, Chairman Mr. David “Dave” Jones, Vice-Chairman Mr. Robert “Bob” Benninger Mr. William “Bill” Booth RE: Planning Commission Dinner and Work Session Thursday, March 5, 2020 A work session will be held by the Planning Commission to discuss Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), small cell infrastructure design guidelines, and amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinances meeting schedule on Thursday, March 5, 2020. The work session will begin at 6:00 p.m. shortly after dinner, which will be served at 5:30 p.m. The dinner and work session will be held in the Administration Conference Room. Please see the enclosed agenda and supporting materials for the meeting. Please review all the materials prior to the meeting and be ready to discuss them at the work session. Please let me know if you are UNABLE to attend the March 5th meeting as soon as possible by emailing me at amcmillan@vintonva.gov or calling me at (540) 983-0605. Thank you. Sincerely, Anita J. McMillan Planning and Zoning Director Enclosures c: Barry Thompson, Town Manager Anne Cantrell, Treasurer/Finance Director Nathan McClung, Principal Planner PUBLIC NOTICE The Planning Commission of Town of Vinton, Virginia, hereby gives notice of a dinner work session to be held on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., or shortly thereafter. The purpose of the work session is to discuss Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), small cell infrastructure design guidelines and amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinances meeting schedule. The dinner work session will be held in the Administration Conference Room of the Vinton Municipal Building, 311 South Pollard Street, Vinton, Virginia. Further information concerning this notice may be obtained by calling (540) 983- 0605. NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMPLY WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND TITLE VI CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 AND OTHER APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES. Reasonable efforts will be made for persons who require special assistance to participate in or attend the meetings. Please call (540) 983-0605 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that proper arrangements may be made. AGENDA MARCH 5, 2020 DINNER: 5:30 P.M. ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM WORK SESSION: 6:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Improvement Projects – Anne Cantrell, Finance/Treasurer III. Small Cell Infrastructure Design Guidelines IV. Amendments to the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances Meeting Schedule V. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff VI. Adjournment Town of Vinton PLANNING COMMISSION Vinton Municipal Building 311 S. Pollard Street Vinton, VA 24179 Phone (540) 983-0605 Fax (540) 983-0621 Mr. David “Dave” Jones, Vice-Chairman Mr. Robert “Bob” Benninger Mr. William “Bill” Booth GENERAL FUND YEAR 1 Match for Mountain View Road VDOT Application 175,000.00 Replacement of Heat Pump at Municipal Building 10,625.00 Cox Cable Communications VOIP System Installation 6,000.00 Point Blank Load Bearing Vest 12,000.00 Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B 50,000.00 Town Gateway Replacement Signs 18,000.00 Barricade Equipment 27,000.00 Bridge Maintenance, Garthright Bridge 36,175.00 Salt Spreader Covering 18,000.00 Hybrid "Kloud" Storage 17,200.00 TOTAL 370,000.00 GENERAL FUND YEAR 2 Match for Mountain View Road VDOT Application 175,000.00 Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B 50,000.00 Town Gateway Replacement Signs 18,000.00 Bridge Maintenance, Garthright Bridge 30,000.00 Worksite and Work Zone Safety Package 45,000.00 Wood Chipper 42,000.00 Letter Sealing Station 10,000.00 TOTAL 370,000.00 GENERAL FUND YEAR 3 Town Gateway Replacement Signs 8,000.00 Bridge Maintenance, Garthright Bridge 30,000.00 Dump Truck, Snowplow & Salt Spreader 154,000.00 Radar Replacement 37,000.00 Refuse Truck Replacement 131,000.00 PD Renovations (Painting/Remodel)10,000.00 TOTAL 370,000.00 GENERAL FUND YEAR 4 Bridge Maintenance, Garthright Bridge 20,000.00 Traffic Signal Camera Detector, Hardy Rd/Vineyard Rd 46,000.00 Refuse Truck Replacement 169,000.00 Sidewalks - Vineyard 135,000.00 TOTAL 370,000.00 GENERAL FUND YEAR 5 Bridge Maintenance, Garthright Bridge 165,000.00 Mill and Pave Administration Building Parking Lot 86,000.00 ERP Software Replacement 120,000.00 371,000.00 GENERAL FUND YEARS 6+ Municipal Building Roof Repair 250,000.00 ERP Software Replacement 280,000.00 Replace Traffic Controllers 83,500.00 Reconstruct Public Works Parking Lots 69,000.00 Traffic Signal Study & Replace Traffic Controllers 44,000.00 Street Improvements - Various locations 15,000.00 Replace Backhoe-Frontend Loader 110,000.00 Repairs to Public Works Building and Facilities 65,000.00 Install Traffic Signal Camera Detectors, Phase 2 75,000.00 Install Guardrails, Chestnut Avenue 22,000.00 Utility Vehicle/UTV 4X4 25,000.00 Install Guardrails, Giles Avenue 26,100.00 Enclosed Equipment Storage Shelter 74,000.00 PW Storage Area, Repairs & Improvements 125,000.00 Install Guardrails, Third Street 30,350.00 Municipal Building Lights 85,000.00 New Crack Sealer Equipment 46,400.00 Install Guardrails, Niagara Road/Woodland Place 42,000.00 Connection and Transfer Switchgear 30,000.00 Renovation of Council Chambers 26,000.00 Municipal Building Carpet 60,000.00 Remodel Public Works Building Interior 62,000.00 Drive Thru Remodel & Building Windows 175,000.00 Locker Room Renovation PW 27,000.00 Install Traffic Signal Camera Detectors, Phase 2 50,000.00 1,897,350.00 Town of Vinton, Virginia Council Retreat FY21 CIP Planning Worksheet Utility Fund YEARS 1-5 Meter Reading System Upgrade 2,150,000.00 Debt 1st Street Water Main Replacement 100,000.00 Debt Third Street Sewer Lift Station Renovation 1,950,000.00 Debt TOTAL 4,200,000.00 Utility Fund YEARS 5+ Pick up Truck, HD4500 with Dump Body 58,100.00 Assessment of Parkway Zone/Meadows Well Evaluation 52,000.00 Phase II/III Jefferson Ave. and Cleveland Ave. Waterline 180,000.00 Construct Wyndham/Niagara Water Line 170,000.00 Valley Hall Water Line Replacement/Realignment 64,500.00 Pine Street Water Line Replacement 70,000.00 Halliahurst Ave & Jeanette Ave Water Line Replacement 26,000.00 Assessment and Design Ruddell Morrison Pressure Zone 55,000.00 Design Lindenwood Water System Replacement 209,000.00 Pitt/Peake Water Line Replacement 25,000.00 Midi Excavator 105,000.00 Sewer Rodder, Trailer Mounted 82,300.00 Design Niagara Road Interceptor Improvement 201,000.00 Design Madison/Bowman Addition Sewer Replacement 132,000.00 1,429,900.00 Town of Vinton, Virginia Council Retreat FY21 CIP Planning Worksheet Stormwater Fund YEARS 5+ (currently unfunded) Storm Drainage Improvement Projects Study 78,000.00 Storm Drainage Improvement Projects, Downtown South 1,312,800.00 Storm Drainage Improvement Projects, Downtown North 716,900.00 Storm Drainage Improvement Projects, Bowman Area 2,214,900.00 Storm Drainage Improvement Projects, Jackson Area 1,193,050.00 Storm Drainage Improvement Projects, Morrison Area 497,200.00 Storm Drainage Improvement Projects, Midway Area 2,539,650.00 8,552,500.00 Town of Vinton, Virginia Council Retreat FY21 CIP Planning Worksheet DRAFT TOWN OF VINTON SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN GUIDELINES January 2020 Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION _______________________________________________________________ 3 1.1 PURPOSE _______________________________________________________________________ 3 1.2 GOALS _________________________________________________________________________ 3 FIG. 1.1 MACRO CELL VS. SMALL CELL _____________________________________________________________3 1.3 DEFINITIONS ____________________________________________________________________ 4 2. GUIDELINES FOR NEW SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE ________________________________ 5 2.1 PLACEMENT PREFERENCES _________________________________________________________ 5 PROXIMITY TO OTHER SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE _______________________________________________5 PREFERRED PLACEMENT _______________________________________________________________________5 IMPACTS TO LANDSCAPING ____________________________________________________________________6 2.2 AESTHETIC GUIDELINES ____________________________________________________________ 7 NOISE ______________________________________________________________________________________7 DISPLAY OF SIGNS ON POLES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT __________________________________________7 FIG. 2.1 SMALL CELL TOWER WITH SEPARATE EQUIPMENT CABINET ____________________________________8 FIG. 2.2 SMALL CELL TOWER WITH EQUIPMENT CABINET INTEGRATED WITH POLE ________________________8 FINISH OF VISIBLE POLES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT ______________________________________________9 MAINTENANCE OF SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE __________________________________________________9 3. STANDARDS FOR CO-LOCATING ON EXISTING STRUCTURES __________________________ 10 3.1 THIRD PARTY STRUCTURES ________________________________________________________ 10 3.2 TOWN-OWNED STREET LIGHTS _____________________________________________________ 10 3.3 TOWN PARKING FACILITIES ________________________________________________________ 11 Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 3 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 PURPOSE The purpose of these guidelines is to establish general standards, consistent with all applicable state and federal laws, for the design, aesthetics installation, placement, and co-location of small cell infrastructure in the Town of Vinton. This guidance specifically addresses small cell wireless infrastructure which consists of smaller poles, antennas, and associated equipment rather than taller macro cell towers, which have been the prevailing technology behind the wireless network for decades. Small cell wireless antennas, at the present time, have a range of approximately 400-500 feet which requires a more numerous and denser implementation in order to meet coverage and capacity demands (see figure 1.1). This guidance is intended for wireless service providers, wireless infrastructure providers, utility franchise holders, owners of small cell facilities and any applicant or person seeking a permit for a small cell installation in Vinton. 1.2 GOALS The goals of these guidelines are to: • Ensure that small cell infrastructure will harmoniously blend into the existing environment and add value to the surrounding context to the greatest extent possible; • Enhance the capability of wireless service providers to deploy small cell technology safely, effectively, and efficiently in order for the residents, businesses, and visitors of the Town of Vinton to benefit from advanced wireless service ability; and • Comply with, not conflict with or preempt, all applicable state and federal laws. FIG. 1.1 MACRO CELL VS. SMALL CELL Macro cell towers can reach heights up to 199 feet tall and coverage that spans several miles. Small cell infrastructure is typically mounted no higher than 45 feet in the air and has a higher-quality, but limited coverage of a few hundred feet. Image source: “Small Cell Wireless Technology in Cities” by the National League of Cities. Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 4 1.3 DEFINITIONS If any of the defined terms below or otherwise appearing in this document are in conflict with the applicable Virginia code or federal regulation, such definition as established under state or federal law, as applicable, shall control. Antenna – communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services. Amenity Zone – a linear portion of the right-of-way (ROW) in which street lights, utility poles, street trees, bicycle racks, parking meters, transit stops, street furniture, and signage is typically found. This area is typically located at the back of a curb to the edge of the pedestrian zone. Co-locate – to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a structure that supports another service. “Co-location” has a corresponding meaning. Frontage Zone – a linear portion of the ROW closest to a building’s edge in which building projections, awnings, displays, and outdoor café seating may occur. Internal Installation – the small cell and all of its components are located within a structure that totally conceals its location allowing for the most appealing aesthetic and minimized visual clutter. Pedestrian Zone – a linear portion of the ROW in which there are limited obstructions allowing for an ease of pedestrian travel. Small Cell Facility – A wireless facility installation in which the antenna cannot exceed six cubic feet in volume and all other associated wireless equipment has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet. Utility Pole – a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government or the Commonwealth of Virginia that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television or electricity. Wireless facility – equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless services between user equipment and a communications network. Wireless infrastructure provider – any person, including a person authorized to provide telecommunications service in the state, that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures. Wireless services provider – a provider of wireless service. Wireless support structure – a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 5 2. GUIDELINES FOR NEW SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE Generally, an applicant should construct and maintain the small cell infrastructure in a manner that does not: 1. Adversely impact public safety or obstruct, impede or hinder travel; 2. Obstruct the legal use of the Right-of-Way (ROW) by other utility telecommunications, or information service providers; 3. Violate nondiscriminatory applicable codes or the federal regulatory of Americans with Disabilities Act; and/or 4. Violate or dispute with applicable Town Codes or standards, such as the zoning ordinance or the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and/or Public Works Specifications and Standards Manual. The Town desires to promote clean, organized, and streamlined infrastructure in an efficient and least intrusive means available to provide wireless services. The following sections enumerate the Town’s placement and design preferences for new small cell infrastructure. 2.1 PLACEMENT PREFERENCES PROXIMITY TO OTHER SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE Small cell infrastructure should not be installed less than 250 feet apart. The applicant should either co- locate with an existing facility or demonstrate that a co-location is either not technically feasible or is not able to be accommodated on an existing structure. PREFERRED PLACEMENT The following entails the Town’s preferences for small cell infrastructure placement: • Small cell infrastructure should avoid areas of environmental sensitivity, such as areas prone to flooding. • Small cell infrastructure should avoid areas of historic or cultural sensitivity, such as historic buildings and cultural facilities. • In the downtown areas, opportunities for co-location on existing structures should be considered first and foremost before any new freestanding poles are requested, see Section 3 of these guidelines for co-location preferences. The Town-installed ornamental pedestrian street light poles shall not be utilized. • A minimum of 5 feet from existing garages or driveways should be maintained. • Along a roadway, the centerline of new poles should be installed and aligned with existing poles or street trees where present. • In no case should any portion of the equipment be less than 3 feet from the edge of the road Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 6 travelway, sidewalk, bike lane, or shared use path. • Alley placement is preferred and encouraged. • Along frontages, align poles with common lot lines as much as possible. • Avoid infrastructure placement in front of built structures including windows, doors, balconies, porches, and stoops. • Placement should not obstruct any fire escapes, doors, gates, or other ingress/egress points to any building entrances/exits that would impede access or delivery to a building. • Avoid placement in the zone created by projecting a perpendicular extension of a primary street facing wall plane for residential building types. Primary wall planes will typically have a front door associated with the façade. • On street corners, small cell placement is preferred on the secondary street frontage. • Placement should not obstruct the operation, placement, or physical attributes of following: pedestrian signals, lighting, signage, streetlights, public transportation vehicles, bus shelters, bus stop locations, irrigation, barricades, bollards, bike racks, benches, trash receptacles, or other streetscape elements. • Equipment should not encroach on airspace beyond the ROW or over the travel way. • Small cell infrastructure should not be located within 25 feet of a fire station apron or other adjacent emergency service facilities. • Small cell infrastructure should not obstruct fire hydrant access. • Small cell infrastructure placement should not interfere with or obstruct the view of police cameras used for security or public safety purposes where present. • Placement must adhere to site distances and visibility triangle requirements in the current version of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Specifications and Standards Manual to ensure safe movements in and around intersections. Similar considerations shall be given to entrances with a 30 feet throat length, alleys, and any other place in which vehicular conflict may occur due to differences in direction of travel and speed. • Refer to the Master Transportation Plan ultimate ROW widths in the most current version of the VDOT Specifications and Standards Manual when assessing placement in an existing ROW. IMPACTS TO LANDSCAPING • A minimum of 20 feet from existing mature trees should be maintained. • Existing mature, healthy trees should not be removed or otherwise impacted by the installation of small cell infrastructure. • Equipment placement and construction of small cell infrastructure should avoid the critical root zone of existing trees. No equipment or storage is permitted in this area. • Any turf areas disturbed by the installation of small cell infrastructure should be restored to original grade and reseeded. Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 7 2.2 AESTHETIC GUIDELINES • Small cell antennas should be shrouded with all wires and supporting equipment integrated with the pole. • Supporting meters, equipment, cabinets, housings, and fans should all be incorporated into the pole base or mounted to the pole at a height that will not create visual or physical obstructions. • In residential areas, a total maximum height of the small cell installation should not exceed 30 feet. • In commercial areas, a total maximum height of the small cell installation should not exceed 40 feet. • Total width or diameter of the pole should not exceed 24 inches. • Poles located within one-mile from the coast should be rated to withstand 130mph wind speeds. • Poles located beyond one-mile form the coast should be rated to withstand 110mph wind speeds. • Stainless steel mounting hardware should be used to mount all equipment, access doors, antennas, and equipment cabinets. • Poles should be set plumb and centered on foundations when installed. • The diameter of the antenna/enclosure should not exceed one and one-half times the diameter of the top of the wireless support pole, to the maximum extent possible. Ultimately, the antenna should appear as a seamless vertical extension of the pole. • Cylindrical antenna shrouds consistent in color with the pole are preferred. • All pole-mounted equipment should be grouped as closely together as possible on the same side of the pole (preferably opposite the travelway). • Cabinet tops should not have clear horizontal surfaces so that objects cannot be placed on top. NOISE • If mechanical fans or other cooling equipment are present, it should not emit more than 50dBA one meter (3.28 ft.) from the pole. DISPLAY OF SIGNS ON POLES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT • Signage including the wireless provider’s name, location identifier and emergency contact should be attached to the pole within 6 feet of the ground. Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 8 FIG. 2.1 SMALL CELL TOWER WITH SEPARATE EQUIPMENT CABINET Example of an undesirable installation FIG. 2.2 SMALL CELL TOWER WITH EQUIPMENT CABINET INTEGRATED WITH POLE Example of a desirable installation Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 9 FINISH OF VISIBLE POLES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT • 5.0 mils thick from the bottom to 8’ high, and 3.0 mils thick above that. • All handholes should have reinforced covers with stainless steel screws. • Any defects and scratches on small cell infrastructure should be primed and painted with a color-matching paint of the existing pole. If damages reach galvanized metal, then in-field re-galvanization will be required. • Finish colors of the poles, equipment shrouds and all public-facing support infrastructure located in the downtown areas should be the color Black. • Finish colors of the poles, equipment shrouds and all public-facing support infrastructure located on the grounds of the Vinton War Memorial/Charles R. Hill Community Center should be the color Brown. • Finish colors of the poles, equipment shrouds and all public-facing support infrastructure located in the vicinity of greenway and trail should be the color Dark Green. • Finish colors of the poles, equipment shrouds and all public-facing support infrastructure in all other parts of the Town should match the existing color of surrounding utilities or the context of the area where it is placed. MAINTENANCE OF SMALL CELL INFRASTRUCTURE The franchisee is responsible for maintaining its property within the ROW. This includes regular maintenance, periodic re-painting, graffiti or sticker removal and timely repairs or re-placement in the event of damage. Upon notification from the Town, any maintenance issue must be remedied within a reasonable period of time or the Town may either repair or remove the damaged equipment at the franchisee’s expense. In the event that the use of a small cell facility is abandoned for ninety (90) days, the Town may remove it at the franchisee’s expense. After due notice, as required under the provider’s franchise, the Town can recoup such cost by making claim against the franchisee’s Letter of Credit or Bond. Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 10 3. STANDARDS FOR CO-LOCATING ON EXISTING STRUCTURES This section addresses the Town of Vinton’s preferences for co- locating new small cell infrastructure on existing poles and structures, both in and out of the public ROW. Existing structures that have been identified for potential co-location, in order of preference, are: 1. Third party existing structures (e.g. American Electric Power Poles, Verizon poles, privately-owned buildings). 2. Town-owned street lights. Other existing Town-owned poles, structures or facilities not addressed in this section will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 3.1 THIRD PARTY STRUCTURES AEP owns majority of the utility poles in the Town of Vinton and building heights in commercial areas often reach 30-40 feet tall. Based on the prevalence of third-party options across the Town, it is preferred that wireless providers first attempt to co-locate small cell infrastructure on non Town-owned structures. 3.2 TOWN-OWNED STREET LIGHTS AEP owns and maintains the vast majority of the 505 street light fixtures in the Town of Vinton. This section addresses the light fixtures the Town solely owns and maintains. Most of the Town-owned street lights are located in municipal parking lots, Vinton War Memorial, Charles R. Hill Community Center, and downtown area. The following lists the primary locations of Town-owned street lights: Co-location on the 14-foot tall Town-owned ornamental pedestrian lights is strongly discouraged. However, there are opportunities to co-locate small cell infrastructure on the taller Town-owned street lights if the following requirements are met: • In most cases, the poles and foundations supporting the existing street lights will not withstand the added weight of the small cell components and, therefore, the pole will need to be replaced. • The small cell antenna should add no more than six feet to the existing height of the street light. • The small cell antenna should be shrouded. All wires and supporting equipment should be integrated with the pole. • Small cell equipment cabinets, equipment housings, cabinets, and meter housings should be incorporated into a decorative pole base to the greatest extent possible. • Town-owned street lights are 208 three phase power. There typically is no neutral available on Town street light poles. A separate power source for all small cell equipment will be needed. Vinton Small Cell Infrastructure Guidelines, January 2020 – DRAFT 11 • The Town must have a way to safely access and maintain the street lights. The ability for the Town to shut off the small cell operation when needed is desired. • The color and pole aesthetic of the street lights in certain areas is unique. Any co-located pole should match this aesthetic to the greatest extent possible. Weatherproof GFI fixtures are required 20 feet above ground on the pole to accommodate additional temporary lighting fixtures. Depending on the specific location, street lights may also need to accommodate banners, signs, flood lights, and speakers. • For street light pole design standards located outside the downtown area; the finish colors of the poles, equipment shrouds, and all public-facing support infrastructure should match the existing color of surrounding utilities or the context of the area where it is placed. 3.3 TOWN PARKING FACILITIES Some Town-owned parking lots could provide an opportunity for small cell infrastructure co-location. However, on-street parking spaces should not be displaced by small cell infrastructure. The following parking facilities could be considered for co-location: • Municipal Building • Farmers Market • Vinton War Memorial/Charles R. Hill Community Center • Public Works Department • Gearhart Park Small cell infrastructure co-located at a parking facility should make every effort to minimize the loss of parking spaces and blend into their surroundings. The removal of existing parking spaces will require written permission and compensation to the Town for lost revenue.