New area code for Newport-Mesa?

A shortage of phone numbers in the 714 area code that includes parts of Costa Mesa and neighboring cities could prompt the addition of a new 657 area code.

The exchange is expected to run out of new numbers in the 714 area code by 2008, said Kyle DeVine, a California Public Utilities Commission analyst.

The commission is holding meetings in Anaheim, Orange and Huntington Beach to get public input on adopting the 657 area code.

Huntington Beach is set to have a public meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 25 in City Hall.

Anyone with a 714 area code will be affected by the code change, regardless of what options are implemented, according to the commission.

This could be déjà vu for Costa Mesa and Newport Beach residents, who were affected by a 714 area code split in 1998. That year, Newport and parts of Costa Mesa were given the then-new 949 area code.

“Unfortunately it’s going to happen now, it’s going to probably happen again in the future and we’ve been through this once already,” Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce president Ed Fawcett said.

“The trauma of that has passed, and I think everybody will be kind of accepting of the fate, because it’s going to happen.”

But it may not happen to Costa Mesa unless the area code for Santa Ana changes to 657 because Costa Mesa is a part of the Santa Ana zone.

None of the options would affect 949 area code users, DeVine said.

If the commission chooses to add a second area code in the 714 area, also called an overlay option, everyone would have to dial the area code on every call even if they already live in the 714 area.

Residents would have to dial a 1 and 10 digits of a phone number because multiple area codes would exist in the same geographic region.

If the commission splits the area, half of the people would be keep their 714 area codes and the others would use 657 area code.

Business owners may have to reprint their advertising, business cards and other stationery to let customers, family and friends know about the change. Tom Smalley, president of the Costa Mesa Conference and Visitors Bureau and general manager of the Wyndham hotel in Costa Mesa, said he hopes for the overlay option because 714 has become an “intrinsic” branding of Orange County.

“Orange County is a very visible and vibrant region, one of the most visible and vibrant regions in the nation,” Smalley said. “714 is so ingrained in Orange County as an area code, it’s just like New York is to 212…. It really should be a viable option to use that overlay as a solution versus chopping up the 714.”

He said the overlay option would not be ideal for every area of the state and country if faced with a similar dilemma, but because of the additional visibility of Orange County said he hopes local city councils put pressure on the commission and telephone companies to ensure that businesses in Costa Mesa don’t have to change their area codes.

“As cities grow, this is something that faces every city of how to best handle that, and I would hope that the telephone company would reach out to businesses and really try to understand how important the number is here,” Smalley said.

“If there are things that are nonprinting and stationery oriented, that they really try to understand that.”

For more information, visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/714areacode.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Public hearing

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 - 9 p.m. public participation meeting

WHERE: Huntington Beach council chambers, 2000 Main St., Huntington Beach

INFO: www.cpuc.ca.gov/714areacode