SOMERS — The Town Board on Tuesday denied a liquor and beer license to the potential operators of a lakeside tavern on a site that has been empty for the last several years.

Supervisors voted 5-0 against granting a Class B combination fermented malt beverage and liquor license for the Lakeside Lounge, 1091 Sheridan Road. The building was the site of The Sands, a tavern once owned and operated by the late Charles Huck, a former longtime Kenosha County Board supervisor.

At a public hearing before the vote, all the residents who spoke and live near the unoccupied tavern said they were against the license because it did not conform with the long-term plan for the neighborhood.

The area, known as the Lakeshore neighborhood, is already surrounded by a number of nearby bars and lounges.

Another bar, they said, would not be conducive to the quaint and quiet collection of family-populated neighborhoods. The town and residents of the Lakeshore neighborhood are currently developing a plan that reflects a residential area with smaller, family-friendly businesses that cater to locals.

As it is, many residents said the late-night bar crowds leaving the taverns can often be seen and heard driving their cars recklessly and other vehicles exceeding the 45 mph posted speed limit.

Henry Heckle said motorcycles can often be seen racing on Sheridan Road at all hours of the night.

“I don’t think this falls within the committee’s plans for lakefront beautification,” he said.

Edna Highland, retired Kenosha County Clerk and a resident, said there were no problems when it was owned by Huck, who has since died.

However, other owners had previous problems and violations, including underage drinking. She believes that the old tavern building ought to be razed.

Sandy Barrett said residents and the town are trying to create a plan that encourages more family-oriented activities and granting the liquor license would go against that.

Judy Bohaczek, who also spoke, said given the number and variety of bars in the area, why approve another license.

“I don’t really think we need another bar,” she said.

Supervisor Fred Loomis said the decision to deny the license was due to health and safety reasons, past violations, the number of other taverns in the area, the site’s non-conformance with the town’s neighborhood plan and public opinion against it.

Representatives for the Lakeside Lounge did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.