Because the measure failed to garner a simple majority, it cannot pass, according to City Attorney Maura Kiefer.

Treasure Island voters split 762-762 on a referendum question March 12 about whether to allow a mix of residential and commercial uses in the city's small downtown area and increase hotel density from 22 units to 60. The tie triggered an automatic recount Friday, which came out with the same results.

Those results raised questions about how to proceed.

In the case of a tie vote for candidates, the city charter provides for a runoff election, but it does not offer guidance for referendum ties, Mayor Robert Minning said.

Kiefer said the issue was straightforward.

"The charter requires a simple majority, so if you don't have that, you don't have that," she said.

Ultimately, the City Commission put the issue to rest.

The city charter requires any zoning changes that affect height or density go before voters in a referendum.

Voters agreed to allow apartments to be built on top of the outdated, mostly one-story retail strips in the downtown shopping district. Two referendum questions passed that increase the number of residences per acre from zero to 24 downtown and as many as 15 along Gulf Boulevard between 103rd and 106th avenues and 108th and 112th avenues.

Voters narrowly rejected a measure to increase hotel units on the east side of Gulf Boulevard from 22 to 60 an acre and split the vote on whether to increase density on Treasure Island Causeway.

The city could introduce the same question again in a future election. In fact, the city is working on a development plan that would allow for more development along its beachfront hotel district on Gulf Boulevard.

However, a bill pending in the state Legislature could change that by prohibiting referendums on development decisions.