(a) In any local government which has established a planning commission or other similar body charged with the duty of making recommendations with respect to zoning proposals, such planning commission or other body shall with respect to each zoning proposal investigate and make a recommendation with respect to each of the matters enumerated in Code Section 36-67-3, as well as carrying out any other duties with which such planning commission or other body is charged by the local government. The planning commission or other body shall make a written record of its investigation and recommendations, and this record shall be a public record.

(b) A county government which is subject to the provisions of this article may create a separate planning commission for each of the major identifiable areas or communities which lie within the territory over which the county government exercises the planning and zoning power. Each such planning commission so created shall have the duties and responsibilities provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section.