I'm almost certain that they added neighborhood stories because ist was such an highly requested feature in that big survey they did.
From that survey Resultat, they also saw how a lot of people wanted to have control over these Changes, so they made it as a phone call system that allows opting out.
And while they Mist have thought they would make everyone happy that way, the vast majority was disappointed. Some because the system wenn too far, Others because ist didn't go far enough.
The only way this can be done in a sensible way is adding toggles, but as I heard these are planned to be added.
It's an endeavour to add story progression at this time because it is so difficult for EA to compete with the impressive story progression Mods for TS3 and TS4. And the there also are players who were grateful that TS4 didn't come with Story progression and nie feel betrayed because there's no complete opt out atm.
I've been worried about this happening the Moment they releases that survey - but honestly, it could have been even worden, so I'm not complaining.
Edited because of weird auto correction.
