Submitted By: Charlita Whitehead
Presentation By: Aubrey Hale
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Department: Growth Management
FORMAL TITLE:
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Ordinance 2026-4 designating a historic landmark at the southeast corner of 117 E Silver Springs Boulevard (Parcel ID# 2823-064-007) and installing a historic marker titled “Elvis in Ocala, Tom Petty Inspired” (Quasi-Judicial)
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The applicant, Ocala Sunset Rotary, with representative Paul Stentiford, submitted COA25-0033 requesting installation of a historic marker titled “Elvis in Ocala, Tom Petty Inspired.” The marker recognizes Elvis Presley’s 1961 visit to Ocala during the filming of “Follow That Dream” at the former Commercial Bank and Trust Company, and the influence of that visit on then-10-year-old Tom Petty, a North Central Florida native who later became a nationally influential musician.
Section 94-81(c) of the Ocala Code of Ordinances establishes the procedures and criteria for historic landmark designations. Eligible resources may include buildings, structures, objects, and sites associated with significant events or people in national, state, or local history.
The proposed marker meets the criteria for historic landmark designation under Sec. 94-81(c)(1)(a) and (c) and supports preservation goals related to public education and cultural interpretation. The installation will be maintained by Ocala Sunset Rotary and placed near the original filming location to retain its historical context.
On November 6, 2025, the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board reviewed COA25-0033. Staff provided an overview of the marker’s purpose, its historical significance, and its alignment with the landmark criteria in Sec. 94-81. Discussion included the 1961 filming of “Follow That Dream” in Ocala and the well-documented influence Elvis Presley’s visit had on young Tom Petty’s early interest in music. Board members discussed the application, context, and proposed location. No objections were raised. Relevant Code Sections: Sec. 94-81(c) and 94-81(d), Ocala Code of Ordinances.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The request meets the requirements for designation as a Local Historic Landmark, as outlined in Sec. 94-81(c):
• Historic Significance: The site is associated with nationally recognized cultural figures Elvis Presley and Tom Petty and documents their historically relevant connection in Ocala.
• Event Significance: The 1961 filming of Follow That Dream represents a culturally meaningful moment in mid-century Florida history.
• Public Benefit: The marker supports heritage tourism, increases public understanding of Ocala’s cultural role, and complements existing downtown markers.
• Owner Support: Written authorization was provided.
• Application Completeness: Photographs, narrative documentation, application fee, and supporting materials were submitted and reviewed.
Staff recommends approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A
LEGAL REVIEW:
This ordinance will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny
SUPPORT MATERIALS:
• COA25-0033 Staff Report
• COA25-0033 Application
• COA25-0033 Site Plan
• COA25-0033 Supporting Document
• COA25-0033 Examples of Downtown Ocala Historic Markers
ORDINANCE 2026-4
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CONCERNING HISTORIC PRESERVATION; DESIGNATING THE SITE AT 117 E SILVER SPRINGS BOULEVARD (PARCEL ID 2823-064-007) AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK FOR PURPOSES OF INSTALLING A HISTORIC MARKER TITLED “ELVIS IN OCALA, TOM PETTY INSPIRED,” IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 94-81 OF THE CITY OF OCALA CODE OF ORDINANCES; AMENDING THE OFFICIAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MAP; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, in regular session, as follows:
Section 1. Designation of Local Historic Landmark. The following property is hereby designated as a Local Historic Landmark, consistent with the criteria and procedures established in Section 94-81 of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances. This designation supports the installation of a historic marker titled “Elvis in Ocala, Tom Petty Inspired.” The designation is based on compelling historical evidence demonstrating the site’s cultural significance as a location associated with nationally recognized figures and a documented historic event:
117 E Silver Springs Boulevard Parcel ID 2823-064-007. The northeast corner of E Silver Springs Boulevard and NE Osceola Avenue, located adjacent to the site where Elvis Presley filmed scenes for Follow That Dream in 1961 and met then-10-year-old Tom Petty.
Section 2. Amendment to the Official Historic Preservation Map. The Official Historic Preservation Map, maintained pursuant to Section 94-81(g) of the City of Ocala Code of Ordinances, is hereby amended to include the Local Historic Landmark described in Section 1 of this ordinance.
Section 3. Direction to Staff. City staff is directed to take all necessary steps to implement this designation, including recordkeeping, updating historic preservation inventories, coordinating installation of the historic marker with the property owner and Ocala Sunset Rotary, and fulfilling all notice and reporting requirements established in Section 94-81.
Section 4. Repealing Inconsistent and/or Conflicting Provisions. All ordinances, resolutions, policies, procedures, or parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5. Severability of Ordinance Provisions. If any phrase, section, or portion of this ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed a separate and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the ordinance.
Section 6. Modifications Arising from Consideration at a Public Hearing. The provisions of this ordinance may be modified as a result of consideration by the City Council during public hearing(s). Any such modifications shall be incorporated into the final version of this ordinance without requiring additional hearings.
Section 7. Direction to the Codifier. It is the intention of the City Council of the City of Ocala, Florida that: (1) the Official Historic Preservation Map be amended to reflect the designation approved in this ordinance; (2) the sections and paragraphs of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered as necessary to accomplish that purpose; (3) terms or headings not affecting the intent of this ordinance may be modified for clarity and consistency; and (4) any scrivener’s errors that do not affect the substance or intent of this ordinance may be corrected by the City Manager or their designee without the need for additional public hearings or further consideration by the City Council.
Section 8. This ordinance shall become effective upon the later of:
(1) Approval by the mayor, or upon becoming law without such approval; or
(2) The effective date of Ordinance No. 2025-XX (Ref: COA25-0033).
ATTEST: CITY OF OCALA
By: By:
Angel B. Jacobs Kristen M. Dreyer
City Clerk President, Ocala City Council
Approved/Denied by me as Mayor of the City of Ocala, Florida, on __________________, 2025.
By: __________________________________
Ben Marciano
Mayor
Approved as to form and legality:
By: _________________________________
William E. Sexton
City Attorney
Ordinance No: 2025-XX
Introduced: Click or tap to enter a date.
Adopted: Click or tap to enter a date.
Legal Ad No: Click or tap here to enter text.