The owners of the Snoqualmie Hampton Inn and Suites is asking the city to let them separate from the franchise and become an independent hotel.

In 2017, the city of Snoqualmie signed a development agreement with Chun Lai Hospitality to build and operate the Hampton Inn in the Snoqualmie Ridge business park. Part of the agreement was to operate the hotel as a Hampton Inn for 20 years.

Snoqualmie Community Development Director Mark Hofman said this was to ensure the city had an affordable hotel in town.

“We wanted that mid-range hotel for tourism,” he said.

If the city council approves the amendment allowing Chun Lai Hospitality to become an independent hotel, they will be required to offer a similar quality and price to what they have today.

That’s what they’re planning on doing, said Chloe Hou, with Chun Lai Hospitality. They’re hoping to serve better food, coffee and host events that can be catered by local companies.

“We want to emphasize that we are here, a local-based, family owned businesses,” Hou said.

Currently, being a Hampton Inn franchise means what food and refreshments they serve is determined by the company, as well as room layouts. If they’re able to run the hotel independently, it will give them greater control over its operation while keeping prices and quality similar.

Part of the proposed amendment to the development agreement also includes a stipulation that the hotel sticks to similar prices for the next 18 years, regardless of who owns it, Hofman said. Snoqualmie city administration recommended passing the amendment, and allowing the hotel to become independent.

The proposed change will have a public hearing at the Dec. 14 city council meeting.