Hearing is tonight on prospective changes to the 714 area code

The California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public participation meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Huntington Beach City Council chambers at 2000 Main St. to discuss a possible area code change and other options that may affect people in Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa who use the 714 prefix.

Anticipating a shortage of 714 phone numbers, the commission has developed three alternatives, including an overlay zone that could add 657 as another area code in the area.

The other two options would split the 714 area into two geographical regions — one would have to use the new area code, while the other would keep 714. At this point, the commission does not know which half would keep 714.

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