Metrolinx plans to spend $3.5 million to make adjustments to the Erin Mills Transitway station after public outrage over its impact on area residents.

A second public meeting was held Tuesday night to finalize changes to the controversial bus rapid transit station, which caused outrage over its proximity to adjacent homes.

The provincial transit agency has proposed light reduction, beautification measures, landscaping, a new cedar fence, building relocation and the creation of a new bus loop to reduce the impacts of the Transitway station.

Eva Berlin, who has been leading the charge against Metrolinx and the Erin Mills Transitway station before construction began in 2014, said she was happy with the progress made to date.

But tweaking the station layout doesn't change the fact that for residents of Idlewilde and Radisson crescents, Metrolinx aggressively asserted itself into their backyards in 2014 and took away their quiet suburban lifestyles.

“They (Metrolinx) chose to impose hardships on our living conditions and even our livelihoods; and they chose to not just ignore what was right, but to actively and aggressively fight against it, all the while furthering their reputation for fostering a corporate culture of self-entitlement, unbridled spending of tax dollars, and lack of regard for the public,” Berlin wrote in a previous email.

The fight against Metrolinx and the Transitway station picked up steam in March 2016, when Coun. Matt Mahoney brought the issue to his fellow councillors who slammed Metrolinx for its disregard of area residents. Following that meeting, the provincial agency opted to make adjustments.

Ten-foot cedar fences will now be constructed between the homes and the station; the north roadway that was being improperly used by bus drivers now has height restriction bars, making it accessible to cars only; the operations building that was blowing ventilation from the washroom into residents’ backyards is being pushed back five metres and the washrooms are being removed; 14-foot trees are being planted between the homes and the station; and lighting is being significantly reduced.

Residents demanded a letter from Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig guaranteeing the proposed changes.

Jamie Robinson, director of community relations and communications with Metrolinx, assured those who attended Tuesday’s meeting that the changes would be made and has agreed to meet with them as often as required until all their issues are resolved.