It shall be the function and duty of the planning commission to make and maintain in an up-to-date manner a master plan of various areas of the county as deemed necessary by the planning commission and to adopt with the approval of the county commission appropriate zoning regulations for the physical development of Macon County; provided, however, that the adoption of a master plan shall not be deemed a prerequisite to the administration and enforcement of the zoning regulations. The plan and regulations with the accompanying maps, plats, charts, and descriptive material shall show the planning commission’s recommendations for the use and development of the territory of the county. The zoning regulations shall also include a zoning plan for selected areas for the control of the height, area, bulk, location, and use of buildings and land. As the whole master plan and preparation of zoning regulations progresses, the planning commission may from time to time adopt and publish a part or parts thereof, any part to cover one or more major sections or divisions of the county. The planning commission may from time to time amend, extend, or add to the plan or regulations as provided in this article. Nothing in this article shall be construed to impair the right of eminent domain conferred on railroads and utilities, both public and private, or their right to construct, use, and maintain structures reasonably required in the public service or their right to exercise authority conferred by statutes, franchises, certificates of convenience and necessity, licenses, easements, or conveyances.