Mosaic’s clearly marked back entrance leads to a parking lot maintained by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Several signs posted throughout the lot make that known to the public.Chattanooga cracked down on the Mosaic church Thursday, saying only 100 people will be allowed into the facility from now on, and they can’t venture more than 100 feet away from the front door.
Fire Marshal James Whitmire said he gave those instructions to the Rev. Tim Reid, pastor of Mosaic church, shortly after a surprise inspection Thursday.
“He can only use the main floor on Market Street,” Whitmire said. He said the building’s second floor, with two performance halls, is off limits because patrons will no longer be allowed to use the door to the back parking lot.
Reid said Thursday he feels the city is specifically targeting his church at 412 Market St. in what he called an “abuse of power.”
“Those inspectors come in every year and we’ve never had these problems until now,” he said. “It’s very weird that they find it now.”