The horrors and Halloween excitement of long-running Horror Hill Haunted Trails in west Coweta County is about to come to an end, at least at its current location. The Coweta County Commission on Sept. 18 approved the Halloween venue for a final year at its location on Ware Road.
Horror Hill is located in a residential area on Ware Road off Ga. Highway 34 west of Newnan. The Halloween attraction had its beginnings at the Ware Road location nearly 29 years ago. But its continued presence on the 7.14-acre site was called into question after commissioners last year adopted a special events ordinance that now requires a special use permit and accompanying regulations.
Horror Hill creator Allyn Glover in comments to the commission noted that, prior to the adoption of the ordinance, he had been unable to operate the venue as a business.
“I’ve been trying to get a business license for several years. I want to meet the requirements and I’m more than willing to do it. All I’m asking for is a chance to be a good neighbor,” said Glover, a police detective in East Point.
Though only operational for 15 days per year, several neighbors at the meeting addressed a number of concerns. Some of the neighbors had lived in the area longer than Horror Hill has been operating while others are more recent arrivals and were aware of the Halloween venue prior to buying their property.
The concerns included issues such as excessive noise, including after closing times, increased vehicular traffic, future property values and the lack of a buffer between their property and the rectangular-shaped 7.14-acre site.
Glover in response said he had implemented a number of changes designed to resolve the concerns cited by his neighbors. Glover said he had never had an insurance claim filed and has not had any accidents, thefts or drug issues and does not allow alcohol on the property.
Glover said he had expended a considerable sum of money to operate the venue set to begin operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and on Halloween night.
“If I have to move after this year I’ll find another location in Coweta,” Glover said.
Commissioners after the public hearing discussed the matter and unanimously approved a motion by Commissioner Tim Lassetter. That motion, one which Lassetter said might not please anyone, calls for Horror Hill to operate this year at its current location but to find a more desirable location for next year. Lassetter said he hoped Glover would find a suitable future location in Coweta County.
Glover on the Horror Hill website said the Halloween venue began in 1984 at his Ware Road home when he was 13 years old. About 50 people came to visit the trail he and a friend constructed. Both the attraction and the crowd increased over the years. Today the annual event attracts more than 2,000 guests, according to the Coweta County Planning Department.
