I have being working on a bukkit server thats is close to vanilla (no essentials or such) but with more features and added fun. the server is in 1.8.8 and i can say "It Will Be A Blast". This will be a community based SMP (very active community) with player made Community shops, farms, mines, etc. and with one specialty shop for some good stuff! everything will be player made no creative mode(obviously). For reference it will be like The HermitCraft SMP's but Semi-Vanilla.
Check Out This App If Your interested!
https://ironicgaming.typeform.com/to/D4hvcg