The city Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday morning sent the Coolidge Hotel case back to the North Shore Review Committee, saying the record in the case was incomplete.

Jim Wilson, appeals board chairman, said the minutes supplied by the North Shore panel on the controversial case were inadequate. He said the panel needs to rehear the matter and provide reasons to back up its decision on approving the four-story hotel near the Walnut Street Bridge.

Attorneys for both the group opposing the hotel and for the developer said they had no problem with the case going back to the North Shore Review Committee.

Allen McCallie said developer Bill Young is still actively seeking an alternate site for his 80-room, loft-style hotel that would be "a win-win situation."

He said since Mayor Bob Corker asked him to consider a land swap for another location that Mr. Young "has not turned a page toward building the hotel at this site."

Mr. McCallie added, "Nobody has to be concerned that we are going to turn dirt tomorrow."

He said the case will likely not go back to the North Shore Review Committee unless an another suitable site cannot be found for the hotel.

Members of the I Love Coolidge Park group filled the City Council chambers for the hearing. They had filed an appeal of the decision by the North Shore group.

They say they have over 10,000 names on petitions opposing the hotel, saying it would mar views at the popular city park.

The site is on River Street at the old Floorcoverings building.

Mr. Wilson said he could not find in the minutes that the developer or the North Shore Review Committee had given answers to those who said the approval violated a number of provisions governing the North Shore panel.

He said, "You don't ignore questions that are put to you."

Jim Hyatt, a member of the appeals board, said the board did not have adequate information on which to act. He said answers should have been given on whether the decision violated sections governing the group in which the word "shall" was used. He said, "None of this took place at the meeting."

Mr. Hyatt said, "We have to have a complete record. We have to give reasons for our decisions."

Jack McCall, another member of the appeals board, said the North Shore group had been set up "to help keep this unique neighborhood on the North Shore."

He said those who talked to him about the issue "basically said they would tar and feather me if I voted for it (the hotel)."

Mayor Bob Corker said he still believes a favorable compromise will be worked out.

He said Jeff Pfitzer of his staff has been meeting regularly with developer Young.