A three-judge panel at the Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis heard arguments yesterday on the zoning approval for the proposed Wyndham Inner Harbor East Hotel.

The challenge, filed by the Waterfront Coalition against the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, seeks to invalidate the zoning.

Each side had 30 minutes to argue its case. Typically, decisions are rendered within six to eight weeks.

In past action, the coalition -- made up of neighborhood groups from Fells Point, Butchers Hill, Canton and East Baltimore -- has sought to set aside the amendment of the Inner Harbor East Master Plan and to obtain an archaeological investigation of buried train tracks thought to be under the hotel site.

Three coalition members also challenged the legality of the city's tax exemption for the Wyndham.

The 750-room Wyndham is a $134 million project touted as a way to increase international exposure, attract bigger conventions and extend harbor attractions eastward.

The city will get 10 percent of any return the hotel generates once the investors have received 15 percent.

Pub Date: 7/14/98