The amount of land required to build a new road or widen an existing road is determined during the planning and design processes for the roadway. During the planning process, estimates of the land needed are developed and presented to the public. Some properties may be identified for advanced purchase, and are acquired early on for the mutual benefit of the property owner and the County.

Most of the land needed for Holden Avenue will be identified during the design process. During the design process, construction plans are drawn up and refined. As these plans near completion, the lands identified for road right-of-way purposes will be surveyed and staked. These properties will then be appraised to determine their fair market value. When the appraisal report has been completed, an Acquisition Agent from Orange County's Real Estate Management Division will contact the property owner to make an offer to purchase the needed property.