The other option is to support zoning and central planning of development and try through the democratic process to sway the decisions to the type of development you want to see next door.
Please forgive me for saying this but the first sentence is ridiculous and the second naive.
If you think an ordinary citizen has a chance against the influence exerted by a developer seeking a zone change you are sadly very mistaken.
I work in the industry. I am more than aware of the pull developers have.
My point still stands. If you believe in zoning as a mechanism to get the development you want, be aware that developers will use the exact same system to get what they want.
You can’t have it both ways.