Why is it that the restriction on joining a settlement based on alignment fills me with dread? The one step away thing seems like a horrible, horrible idea, at least as a main rule.
So, I suggest, as default, letting people start settlements where Lawful Evil and Chaotic Good people can both live, making the alignment restriction an optional thing.
Sure, there may be personality conflicts, but the morals and ethics don't automatically determine friendships, or make someone bad to live near. In fact, such differences might add to the RP potential, and add to the experience.
I know for a fact that a few buddies of mine are ging to be aiming for somewhere in the Lawful alignments (on either end of the moral spectrum), while I'm likely to be Chaotic. Does that mean I shouldn't be able to set up house near them, and work with them to build a town?
It shouldn't.