Interesting question about distance.
As I mentioned, I think Par 3s give the architect the rare opportunity to present to ALL golfers the same basic shot using basically the same club and from the same tee. A good architect might really make something interesting and outstanding of that opportunity -- if he has the style/nerve to make it a very short Par 3.
As soon as you make the hole 200+ yards, it can still be a wonderful hole of course, and with multiple tees you can have golfers of all skill levels play it and enjoy it. But then you have what golfers encounter pretty much on every Par 4, no matter what tees they play, i.e. after their tee shots, they and their lower handicap friends are all, say, 180 yards out -- but one of them is using a 7 iron on the approach and the other a 5 and the other 3 iron and another a fairway wood.
Again, the very long Par 3 can be great fund and challenge and a top flight hole; but only the short Par 3 can equalize the playing field in a way that no other hole/shot can -- except for putts of course, with I think is telling.