“The problem is given US law its hard to preserve the look of ANY town”
No, it isn’t. Zoning and architectural preservation laws allow that. Visit many small towns in New England, for example.
Now, if you are one of those right wing nutcases I grew up with who would usually follow the world “zoning” with the word “communist” you will think that that is a horrible thing, but most of America has gotten over this nonsense.