Curtis Robichaud

Curtis Robichaud is a clinical occupational therapist with a unique interest in city planning, housing, transportation, and community development. A passionate rugby player and advocate for smarter urban growth, Curtis brings a thoughtful and research-driven perspective to local issues affecting Sarnia-Lambton. His writing often explores housing affordability, transit systems, infrastructure, and the way cities can better support the people who live in them.
Articles by Curtis Robichaud
Sarnia’s draft zoning bylaw updates how home-based businesses are defined, but largely keeps the same restrictions in place. Fixed caps on space, staffing, and visibility remain, often regardless of real…
Sarnia moves forward on ARU bylaw, but expert says key barriers still limit growth
Sarnia is updating its bylaw for additional residential units (ARUs)—often called accessory dwelling units or ADUs—to allow more housing flexibility. While the draft eases some rules, industry experts warn that…
Sarnia’s draft bylaw could add red tape to small-scale infill housing development
Sarnia’s proposed zoning bylaw appears to support new housing, but key rules around lot sizes, frontage, parking, and approvals may make small-scale infill difficult in practice. Without targeted reforms, the…
Subtle zoning change could quietly block supportive and affordable housing in Sarnia
Proposed zoning changes in Sarnia could quietly make supportive housing much harder to build. New parking requirements far exceed actual demand, forcing most projects into Council approval, where similar developments…
Building out today, paying tomorrow: Sarnia’s infrastructure challenge
Sarnia’s debate over cutting development charges highlights the city’s struggle with low-density growth and rising infrastructure costs, echoing Detroit’s experience where short-term expansion masked long-term financial liabilities and ultimately led…
Neighbourhood opposition threatens affordable housing project
A 56-unit affordable housing project in Sarnia has been delayed by city council and is now headed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, after facing pushback from nearby residents. “NIMBY attitudes…
Exploring parking reform: What Sarnia can learn from Spokane’s Pilot Program
A recent report to Sarnia’s city council by Stacey Forfar, General Manager of Community Services, reveals that mandatory minimum parking requirements for site-specific applications have been reduced at least 11 times in…
How linearity and proximity can influence transit ridership potential in Sarnia
This article explores linearity and proximity in the context of Sarnia Transit's network, providing residents with insights into how these factors influence ridership potential and align with the city's Official…
How a focus on density and walkability could boost transit ridership in Sarnia
The City of Sarnia is inviting residents to provide feedback through its newly launched Sarnia Transit Rider Survey, which seeks to gather insights into how the local public transit system can…
How more frequent bus service could improve Sarnia’s transit system
The importance of frequency in increasing ridership—by improving accessibility and effectiveness—is key to better transit service. This article explores how increasing bus frequency can address challenges as Sarnia launches its…
Events
Oct27
Oct27
Oct27
Oct27
Meat Raffles @ Black Gold Brewery
Tue, Oct 27 · 6:00 pm
Black Gold Brewery 395 Fletcher St Petrolia, ON
Oct27
Richard Beland Artist Talk
Tue, Oct 27 · 6:00 pm
The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts 127 Christina St. S Sarnia, ON
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