A county administrative hearing officer has granted Nextel Communications' request for a zoning variance and special exception to build a 102.5-foot cellular communications tower south of Andover Road in Linthicum.

Columbia-based Nextel plans to lease 1.33 acres from BWI Partnership to build the tower and a small, unstaffed equipment building. A variance is required because zoning laws prohibit accessory structures higher than 25 feet.

In the past few weeks, residents have expressed their opposition to the tower at several neighborhood association meetings.

A public hearing was held March 31 in Annapolis before Robert C. Wilcox, the administrative hearing officer. Anyone wishing to appeal the ruling must file a notice with the county Board of Appeals by May 18.

2 men, 13-year-old girl face narcotics charges

Two Pasadena men and a 13-year-old runaway girl were arrested on narcotics charges at a north county hotel yesterday morning, police said.

The two men were arrested about 10:30 a.m. after they agreed to let detectives search them and their car. The detectives later searched the hotel room, where they found the girl and additional quantities of marijuana and PCP, police said.

Sergeant Morgan said police found one PCP cigarette and 3 to 4 grams of marijuana worth about $40.

Police declined to identify the hotel.

James Leslie Williams, 23, of the 700 block of 208th St. was charged with possession of PCP and possession of marijuana. He also faces a charge of second-degree rape, according to Sgt. Mark Morgan of the county narcotics squad.

Police also arrested Steven Allan Miller, 20, of the 700 block of 222nd St. and charged him with possession of PCP and possession of marijuana.

The girl reportedly ran away from home Tuesday night, police said.