New Area Code Gives Costa Mesa a Lesson in Division

Starting early Saturday, there will be more numbers to dial. Even to call the neighbor across the street.

At least in some neighborhoods. Like the one in Costa Mesa that finds itself split along the dividing line for the old area code--714--and the new one of 949.

“What a pain,” said Costa Mesa homeowner Joe Banning, summing up the feelings of residents who are now--quite literally--divided by the switch.

With Orange County split roughly in half by the Public Utilities Commission, determining which area code to use is fairly straightforward in most places. Some cities, however, straddle the line. And nowhere is that split more apparent than in the neighborhoods near Wilson Street.

The boundary is only an estimate, since area codes are determined by prefix numbers, not geography. But in general, said Jerry Verwolf, acting director of communications for the city of Costa Mesa, residents north of Wilson will remain in the 714 area code, and those to the south will be in the 949 zone. Actual rates to make calls, however, will not change.

Andy Wall, minister at Costa Mesa Church of Christ on Wilson Street, said the switch has forced a revamping of his congregation’s directory. “The church is now 949,” he said. “But we have several members nearby who are 714. That does seem odd.”

In the newsroom of the local newspaper, the Daily Pilot, the area code divide has been reduced to a matter of feet. News Editor Steve Eames has a phone line with a 714 area code, while Times Community News Senior Editor Tony Dodero’s is 949.

City residents and politicians opposed the area code switch when it was announced last year. They said it was unfair that residents would have to dial area code entries for simple cross-town, cross-street calls.

Since the “get-acquainted” period went into effect in April, however, the complaints have died down.

“I think people just realize they have to live with it,” Verwolf said.

“It’s a little bit of a hassle,” said Rose Noonan, an Avalon Street homeowner. “But I’ve already told my out-of-state relatives and friends.”

Some businesses owners, however, bemoan the fact they have to change business cards, signage and stationery.

Jeffrey Palmer, another Avalon Street resident, said his two telephone lines--one at his home, the other at his marine business in Newport Beach--are now 949. He said informing relatives of the change was hassle-free; informing his customers, however, was not.

“It’s no big deal,” he said, referring to the area code switch on his personal phone. “It’s the fact that we have to spend to stay current with our clients.”

But other business owners aren’t quite so prepared. A quick drive along Wilson Street reveals many signs that still include phone numbers with the 714 area code--even though they have 949 code prefixes.

The split is necessary because of the rapid increase in the number of telephone numbers for everything from cellular phones and fax machines to computer modems and beepers. New telephone numbers were stretching the capacity of the 714 area code, which contains almost 8 million numbers, said Alison Costa of the California/Nevada Code Administration.

“You drive around and you see everyone’s on a cell phone, so it doesn’t surprise me,” homeowner Banning said.

Costa Mesa residents shouldn’t get too comfortable with just two area codes, though. The PUC is planning to split the 714 area yet again, which would introduce a third area code to the city. Verwolf said the change could come as early as 2000.

“I guess that’s the price you pay for technology,” said Wall, the minister.

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New Code

Saturday marks the end of the six-month area code “get acquainted” period, during which both the 714 and 949 codes worked. South County cities are in the new 949 area. Some cities, though, are divided--a curiosity evident near Costa Mesa’s Wilson Street. Here’s how the split cuts Costa Mesa:

(map)

Here are the prefixes previously in the 714 area that now will require callers to dial the 949 area code.

Note: Cellular telephone users should check with service providers to see if their area codes have changed.

* 203, 206, 221-225, 227, 240, 248-253, 260-263 * 327, 347, 348, 360-369, 371, 376, 380, 387, 388, 399

* 417, 421, 422, 425, 440, 442, 443, 448, 450-455, 457-462, 464, 470-472, 474-477, 485, 487-489, 492-499

* 509, 512, 515, 548, 551-553, 559, 574, 580-584, 586-589, 595, 597-599

* 602-605, 622, 623, 629, 631, 640, 642-646, 650, 651, 653-655, 660, 661, 673, 675, 686, 697, 699

* 706, 707, 713, 715-729, 733, 737, 752, 753, 756, 757, 759, 760, 766-768, 770, 784, 786, 788-791, 793-795, 797, 798

* 823, 824, 829-831, 833, 837, 851, 852, 854-860, 862-864, 873, 888

* 910, 930, 932, 951, 955, 975

Prefixes that will work in both 714 and 949 area codes: 211, 311, 411, 511, 555, 561, 611, 700, 711, 811, 853, 911, 950, 958, 959, 976, 977

Sources: PacBell, City of Costa Mesa