More green open spaces, a surf museum and a unique mix of retail and restaurants are all part of an updated plan for the $330 million renovation of Dana Point Harbor.

The first phase of the plan, concentrating on the harbor’s commercial core — also including a three-level parking structure and two hotels — has been signed off by the city of Dana Point, which means developer Dana Point Harbor Partners can move forward with the land-side development.

That development — planned by Bryon Ward of Burnham-Ward Properties and Bob Olson of R.D. Olson Development — includes features approved by the California Coastal Commission for a previous county plan, plus additional improvements.

“We’re providing more public access with the buildings all sprinkled along the waterfront instead of clustering them,” Ward said. “We connected the hotels and retail so it all reads as one connected village. Now, people can stroll and enjoy the retail of all the extended spaces.”

Building heights and overall square footage (190,000 square feet) remains the same as the county plan. Parking is expanded with a third level added to the proposed parking structure. Congestion is expected to be eliminated with separate entrances for day-boaters and other harbor visitors.

They have the city’s OK, but developers want to make sure what they’re creating has the community’s stamp of approval. Over the next two weeks, they plan to hold public forums at the Ocean Institute, giving locals a chance to weigh in with their likes and dislikes.

The first forum is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at the Ocean Institute in the harbor. Details on a second forum have yet to be announced.

Forums will provide detailed visuals of the commercial core. Color schemes, designs, construction materials and landscaping will be on display.

Locals also will be asked about their preferences for the harbor’s events spaces. Do they like concerts or a spot for food and wine gatherings? What about featuring local artisans? They’ll also get to weigh in on the mix of restaurants, the possibility of a specialty market, dessert shops and home goods stores.

“We want to get their feedback as we assemble the existing tenants,” Ward said. “We’ve got a lot of seafood — do we want to diversify that a bit?”

Forums will include photographs showing design options including details of material to be used for benches. Do people want wood benches or do they want more of a deconstructed look?

The first phase of construction — the parking structure — is expected to break ground next summer and should be completed in 12 months. New retail buildings are expected to break ground by 2022.

“Dana Point is not Newport Beach, it’s not Huntington Beach — it has its own DNA and personality,” Ward said. “Dana Point has had such a profound impact on the surf industry and culture that has been exported all over the world. You have all these colorful personalities.”

Dana Point is where Hobie Alter – creator of the foam surfboard – first shaped and sold boards. Surfer magazine was born there. And it was the home of Killer Dana, a right-breaking wave just off the headlands that was famous for producing huge surf until construction of the Dana Point Harbor in 1966 stopped the break.

As an homage to the city’s history, the new harbor will feature a surf museum set next to a green space where outdoor movies can be shown and surf-oriented events can be staged. Likewise, a sizable amount of retail space will be devoted to surf industry products and apparel.

“It’s laid-back, humble and approachable,” Ward said of Dana Point. “We want to reflect that so the community can really own it and be proud of it.”

Dolphins and whales also are a major part of the city and the harbor’s image. Last month, Dana Point officially was trademarked as “Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World.”

Ward said he plans to take advantage of that, too.

“We’re talking about public art and expanding Festival of Whales to celebrate that,” he said. “Dana Point is a waterman’s paradise unlike any other city along the West Coast. Anyone that wants to dive into the California lifestyle has an ability to do that in Dana Point like no other place.”