Preliminary plans are underway to designate part of Oak Bluffs as a cultural district, a special state designation.

On Tuesday the town selectmen saw a map of the proposed district, which would include downtown, the Camp Ground, Dukes County avenue, and town parks and beaches. Camp Ground executive director C.J. Rivard said the proposed district would also include stops on the African American Heritage Trail.

Cultural district designations are made by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and are considered an economic development tool. There are 34 cultural districts statewide, including two on the Vineyard: one at the Aquinnah Circle and the other around the Vineyard Haven Harbor.

Martha’s Vineyard Commission economic development and affordable housing planner Christine Flynn said a district would promote tourism, arts and culture, and has no zoning, permitting, regulations or licensing requirements. “It highlights all of what Oak Bluffs has to offer as a town,” she said.

Oak Bluffs Association member and town business owner Dennis daRosa said the size of the district allows inclusion of properties that are both well-known and lesser known. “We’re happy to have it scaled back, and curtailed to the will of the town, but people go to places like this who are interested in cultural points, points of interest and it will help the town,” he said. “Oak Bluffs is a special place, this is another way of promoting it for virtually no cost.”

Board chairman Gail Barmakian said she wholeheartedly supported the idea, but was concerned the district was too broad. She also said she has concerns about what was involved with creating the district and the board should read the material carefully.

“I’m uncomfortable with it because it’s a novel idea only,” she said. “I’m not ready to sign on to the whole thing.”

Kathy Burton said she understood the concerns, but the district made sense to her. “The only issue is does it have any negative impact on the residents. I think the answer is now. Is there a down side? I only see a plus side.”

Selectmen took the matter under advisement.

In other business during the two and a half hour meeting Tuesday, selectmen heard more from Marc Hanover on his request to close his restaurant, Linda Jean’s, for two and a half months in the coming winter. At their last meeting, selectmen delayed action on the request amid concerns that several year-round restaurants were closing during the winter. They said they wanted to hear from Mr. Hanover about his reasoning.

“The reason is I’m tired,” Mr. Hanover said Tuesday. “We’ve been staying open [year-round] for 34 years. Four years ago I decided I’d had enough of that. The staff needs a break, the building needs to be updated.”

He said he decided to turn in his year-round beer and wine license and apply for a seasonal license. “I’d go a month without being able to serve beer and wine,” he said. “That’s my solution if you’re amenable to it.”

The change in liquor license did not require a vote by selectmen Tuesday. But Mr. Vail weighed in as a diner.

“Can I just say we love Linda Jean’s, and it’s just heartbreaking that you’d be closed that long. Where do we go to have breakfast?” he said. “Linda Jean’s is such a fixture in town.”

The board approved paying an additional fee of half a penny per kilowatt hour of energy produced for the town by the Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative.

Selectmen also:

• Approved extending bar hours on New Year’s Eve until 1:30 a.m., with all patrons required to leave premises by 2 a.m..

• Accepted a $100 donation for Ocean Park.

• Appointed Marilyn Miller and Colleen Morris to the town hall building committee.