SAN DIEGO -- A proposal to change North County area codes is one step closer to being scrapped, now that an administrative law judge has ruled against it.

Judge Maribeth Bushey of the California Public Utilities Commission ruled that the group should allow existing numbers to remain and assign new area codes as new numbers come into service, The North County Times reported.

The full five-member commission is scheduled to vote on Bushey's ruling on Oct. 16.

Bushey presided over public hearings on the proposed change earlier this month in Carlsbad and Victorville.

During the Carlsbad meeting, Col. James B. Seaton, Camp Pendleton's commanding officer, testified that changing area codes would impose significant logistical burdens on his command.

Other opponents testified about negative impacts on small businesses and hospitals.

The proposed change came about to deal with population growth in the North County and the proliferation of wireless phones.

According to the CPUC, North County has nearly exhausted the 7.9 million numbers created when the 760 area code was established in 1997.

The proposed change was approved in April but the commission retracted its decision to allow for more public hearings on the matter amid pressure from an online campaign called keep760.org.