City Might Avoid Plan for Area Code Split

Adamant opposition to splitting Cypress into two telephone area codes appears to have swayed officials considering the change.

Kevin Justen, a senior management analyst for the city, told the City Council this week that a recent meeting of Orange County local government representatives reached a compromise that would not divide Cypress.

“It allows the entire city to remain in the 714 area code,” Justen said, drawing applause from a large audience at the meeting. Many residents and businesses had previously said they strongly opposed the idea.

Because of growing numbers of telephone users, the California Public Utilities Commission had proposed a new area code for part of Orange County. The proposal would have split Cypress at Katella Avenue, with the north part of the city remaining in the 714 area and the south getting a new code.

Local government officials met earlier this month and hammered out a compromise, Justen said. The recommendation now goes to the utilities commission, which is expected to make a final decision by early December.

Justen said local officials in Orange County have already been told it is “very likely” their compromise plan will be approved.