Not only do they want the value of the house to go up, but they don't want anything around them to change. No new 5-story condo complex on that one corner. My neighbor shouldn't add a second floor and block my view.
"Don't turn this into Manhattan" is such a common refrain yet turning it into Manhattan would wildly increase their land value.
It sure would rocket the land value.
The flip side is that it is important to understand not everyone wants to live in Manhattan (or a look-alike). Some people moved out to the boonies specifically because they want to live out in the boonies.
If you take their view for a moment, which is good exercise in a debate: would you be happy if your house in the boonies is suddenly surrounded by high-rise apartment towers? It's not the boonies anymore.