Starting out with a base game save file and enabling packs later will allow manual lot placement

There's also a mod by Bluegenjutsu that prevents the auto-placing of lots:

http://simsasylum.com/tfm/index.php?/topic/497-no-auto-placement-of-community-lots-in-ea-worlds-requires-at-least-one-of-these-eps-ambitions-showtime-supernatural-or-seasons/

It's hosted on the Sims Asylum, so anyone wanting to download would need to be signed in for the link to work.