With a quick, unscheduled vote this week, the Arlington County Board made the first step in trying to control the building of big-box retailers in its jurisdiction. ARLnow reports that the board voted to advertise public hearings on an amendment that would ultimately require Walmart, Target and the like to get board approval before building.

The move comes as Walmart considers setting up shop at an industrial site near Shirlington. An unnamed source tells ARLnow that the retailer is in the early stages of a plan to build a store in the same footprint of the ones planned for D.C. and Tysons Corner. The current zoning ordinance allows Walmart to build on the site “by right,” according to ARLnow’s source.

Bob Brosnan, planning director for Arlington County, tells ARLnow that the goal is not to block Walmart from coming to the county, but to allow the board to address potential traffic or other problems resulting from big-box development. Brosnan cited concerns over the site’s proximity to a pedestrian-and-cyclist-heavy crossing on Shirlington Road.

Now on summer break, the board will consider the amendment in September.