Some pretty colors splashed over a map mean a world of difference to the residents of one west Forsyth community.A small degree separates what the yellow and purple areas on the map signify, but for the residents of Howard Road and nearby areas, the community’s future is at stakeThe debate is rooted in the county’s update of its comprehensive plan, which provides a policy guide for Forsyth’s future through 2032.While most of the county’s some 175,000 residents have been uninterested in the planning process, a dedicated few from around Howard Road have educated themselves on planning and zoning to make their case.Their faces have become familiar to county officials conducting public participation meetings on the plan update. The next session is set for later this month.The future development map, which provides a guide to preferred land use for the next 20 years, has drawn the primary interest of the Howard residents.Each color on the map represents a character area, which defines the feel of a community and provides suggested future property zonings.The designation for the community surrounding Howard Road has bounced between the yellow estate residential character area and the purple suburban living category.Estate residential includes low-density residential and agricultural uses, while suburban living steps up the residential density and could also include limited neighborhood shopping.To residents, whether the map shows Res-2, or two homes per acre, or Res-3, or three homes per acre, means the difference in maintaining the look and feel of the community, and the price a property might fetch.Planning processAs the comprehensive planning process moves forward, the debate enters the hands of planning staff and the steering committee. Eventually, the decision will fall to the county commission.During two public participation meetings in March, 286 people submitted votes on their favorite version of the future development map.